A rapper who filmed himself launching a verbal tirade against a transgender woman has been sentenced to 14 weeks in prison.

Tyrone Castello, 41, of Trinity Avenue, approached the victim when she was walking alone on Westcliff Avenue on July 25, 2018.

Castello recorded the victim on his phone as he verbally abused her, including derogatory language about the victim’s gender, and threatened to harm her.

He uploaded the footage onto social media the next day.

Castello admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence on the first day of his trial. 

Yesterday, May 15, he was sentenced to 14 weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay £250 compensation, as well as £515 in additional costs.

Anyone who has been the victim of a hate crime is encouraged to call Essex Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

You can also visit www.essex.police.uk/advice/hate-crime/ for advice or to get the details of one of their Hate Incident Reporting Centres across the county.