THE sentencing of a Worcester woman caught on camera as she spat at and racially abused a Wetherspoons doorman has sparked fresh debate.

Sharna Walker was jailed for 14 weeks yesterday after previously admitting racially aggravated common assault and criminal damage.

Footage showed Walker, of Woodhouse Close, Worcester reacting angrily when asked to leave the Figure of Eight pub in Birmingham's Broad Street leisure district at around 10.30pm on Saturday May 22.

A video of the 25-year-old pushing security guard Tristan Price, swearing and shouting racist obscenities 'at least 10 times' went viral when it was posted on social media following the incident. 

Malvern Gazette:

She then spat at him outside the bar before causing damage to a glass panel on the pub’s door.

Alongside her prison sentence, Walker was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to Mr Price and banned from the Figure of Eight for two years unless otherwise given permission to attend by the landlord.

However, reacting angrily to the news on social media, many people questioned the decision of Birmingham Magistrates to jail Walker for her actions. 

Deanna Fowler said: "And here we have it, a drunken mistake and a few disgusting words. Yes, it is unacceptable, yet we allow paedophiles to walk the streets eyeing up innocent children. Wow."

John Matthews added: "Ridiculous, a drunken mistake by a a young girl should be punished but prison is a bit harsh in my opinion.

"The court should be ashamed when they regularly let paedophiles walk free."

Nick Mezzone said: "Trying to work out how the guy who attacked me and had 40 offences got spared jail and she got 14 weeks. Her actions are totally wrong, but so is the justice system."

Meanwhile, Anthony Pedley said: "Personally, I think an education program plus a community order would have been better.

"Can't see how this will change her mindset! It will teach her to keep quiet in future but not change beliefs. What's a better outcome?"

In polarised opinion, there were also plenty of responses lauding the decision to put Walker behind bars for Christmas, with some even saying the sentence could have been longer.

Joanne Bailey said: "A valuable lesson to all abusers that no abuse will be tolerated."

Jen Marshall added: "I’m glad she got a custodial sentence. If it was a man against a woman, it would be expected. I can’t help but wonder if this still would’ve been the outcome if it hadn’t been caught on video and out all-over social media."

Meanwhile, reacting angrily to people opposing the sentence, Tetouan Mimi said: "How are half of you sympathising with this racist? Do black lives not matter to you? And comparing this crime with paedophilia and stabbings, this isn't a competition.

"To those sympathising with this racist woman, you are an accomplice and just as bad, and probably have the same mentality as her.

"14 weeks is not enough! She should of got at least a year or two! But I'm happy they actually sent her to jail rather than giving her a suspended sentence."

We'd like to hear your opinions on the sentencing of Sharna Walker. Let us know your thoughts.