What should have been a routine afternoon at a well-known kosher café in central London spiralled into chaos when a woman, heavily intoxicated, began abusing diners with racist and antisemitic insults.
Families enjoying food at Reubens Café and Bakery on Baker Street instead found themselves targeted by a stranger shouting political slogans and making violent accusations.
Questions That Sparked Confrontation
The incident began innocuously enough, with the woman asking customers whether the café was kosher. Moments later, her tone shifted.
Witnesses say she accused diners of “killing babies” and repeatedly screamed “Free Palestine” directly at them, creating fear and confusion inside the busy West End spot.
Filmed Outburst and Flying Food
Footage from the July incident later emerged, showing Mary Clarke, dressed in gym wear and a baseball cap, yelling profanities and declaring, “I’m from f***ing Ireland.”
In the clip, she is seen throwing food at customers and hurling a bowl of chips onto the floor.
One diner claimed Clarke smashed their phone during the outburst, adding that she made explicitly antisemitic remarks.
Abuse Spills Beyond the Café Tables
After storming away from the diners inside Reubens, Clarke continued shouting outside before confronting a nearby table of men drinking next door.
Prosecutor Rhianne Neil told the court that Clarke repeatedly approached and retreated from the group while shouting “Free Palestine,” before returning to deliver further abuse.
“Abusive, Alarming and Distressing”
A statement from café manager Simmy Grover was read aloud in court, describing the episode as deeply upsetting for staff and customers alike.
He said the behaviour was “disgusting and unacceptable,” emphasising the distress caused to families who had simply come in for food.
Guilty Pleas on Multiple Charges
Clarke, who lives in Camden, admitted to a series of offences: two counts of racially aggravated harassment, one count of racially aggravated criminal damage, and one count of racially aggravated common assault.
She appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court with her hair tied back, wearing a black belted coat over a white shirt.
Defence Points to Grief and Alcohol
Her barrister, Jacqui Joseph, told the court Clarke was “totally mortified” and accepted full responsibility.
The defence explained that Clarke had lost her mother the year before and had been binge drinking at the time.
The court heard she lives alone with her four-year-old son, relies on benefits, and is actively looking for work.
Judge Condemns a Targeted Attack
District Judge Sam Gozee did not mince words.
He told Clarke she had deliberately targeted a Jewish business and subjected multiple people to distressing, racially motivated abuse.
The judge stressed that alcohol had worsened the seriousness of the offence, saying her drinking removed the inhibitions that might otherwise have stopped her behaviour.
Custody Considered, Then Suspended
Although the judge said the racial motivation meant a prison sentence was justified, he ultimately chose to suspend it because Clarke is the sole carer for her young child.
She was handed a 25-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, alongside probation supervision.
Strict Conditions and Compensation Orders
Clarke was ordered to complete an alcohol abstinence programme and wear a monitoring tag to track her drinking.
She must also pay £100 compensation to each assault victim and £43.50 to the café to cover damaged items.
Clarke told the court she understood the sentence and thanked the judge for suspending it.
Wider Concerns Over Antisemitic Incidents
The Jewish Community Security Trust confirmed it had responded to the incident at the time, sending officers to support those affected.
A spokesperson said the case was part of a wider pattern, noting that Jews have faced increasing hatred and abuse in recent months, often with events in the Middle East used as justification.
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