A woman whose racist rant on a crowded Sydney train in July shocked the city has escaped without a conviction after telling the court she was "absolutely appalled" at her behaviour.
Karen Bailey pleaded guilty at the Downing Centre Local Court to one charge of offensive behaviour on Thursday morning.
She was arrested at Wyong train station early this month after a racist and expletive-laden tirade at a commuter of Asian descent.
The rant was captured by another passenger and the footage scorched across the internet.
In her remarks to court, Ms Bailey said she was “absolutely appalled” at her behaviour.
Magistrate Teresa O’Sullivan accepted the plea and placed Ms Bailey on a 12-month good behaviour bond.
Ms Bailey’s father, who told Fairfax Media he was mostly deaf, was in court.
After the sentencing, Channel Ten footage showed him pushing away a journalist's microphone, before grabbing it and appearing to try to pull the head off.
The footage also shows him pushing away the arm of a cameraman, while Ms Bailey repeatedly told reporters not to cause him to fall.
The plea means if Ms Bailey is charged with any crimes in the next 12 months, she will face re-sentencing. If she is not, she will escape with no conviction.
Ms Bailey had told the court she was under enormous stress that day, having failed to attain a job to support her elderly husband and also her father.
She further claimed she was suffering from severe pain in her knee from her osteoarthritis.
Ms O’Sullivan said she had considered Ms Bailey's lack of criminal record, her letter of explanation and the character references she had provided.
“I have taken into account you’re very remorseful and it does seem to be completely out of character,” Ms O’Sullivan said.
Ms O’Sullivan described Ms Bailey’s behaviour as completely unacceptable but recognised that those who gave her character references said they had never seen Ms Bailey exhibit any similar aggressive or racist behaviour.
Ms Bailey first claimed her name was Sue Wilkins when appearing on National Nine News.
"I had a rotten day. I've been chasing work for quite some time now. It's awful what I said to that woman, I do agree," Ms Bailey said.
"It's awful and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, regardless of any race."
