Islamic preacher charged over 'swearing at woman for wearing tight jeans'

An Islamic street preacher has been charged with two public order offences after allegedly shouting abuse at a woman in Birmingham city centre and swearing at her for wearing tight jeans.

Krissoni Henderson was filmed angrily confronting an officer after a 38-year-old woman rang police to say she had been verbally abused by the preacher in New Street on 4 July.

He is heard shouting at the officer, "if you want to arrest me, arrest me", before going on to claim the alleged victim had approached him first, rather than the other way round.

A crowd soon gathered around the pair as the stand-off became increasingly tense, with the officer eventually telling the bystanders the man had "the right to assembly, he can stand here and shout and offend".

He added: "If his actions go beyond that and he commits a public order offence then he will be arrested." The officer left the scene to cheers from the crowd.

The following day Henderson was arrested at his home in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter and later charged with using insulting, threatening words or behaviour and using racially aggravated insulting words or behaviour.

The 31-year-old appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 6 July, where he was bailed to reappear on 6 September.

Superintendent Andy Beard, of West Midlands Police, said: "We received a call from a lady walking through central Birmingham making allegations that she had been sworn at and that derogatory comments had been made about her appearance.

"We have investigated those claims and as a result a man has been charged. People absolutely have the right in law to freedom of speech and visitors to Birmingham city centre will regularly hear people offering their opinion on a wide range of topics.

"However, people must do so lawfully and if there is any suggestion anyone is abusing that right and using words likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress or cause a breach of the peace then we will investigate and take the appropriate action."