Two deny racially abusing Rochdale cabbie after New Zealand attack

    Two people have denied racially abusing a Rochdale taxi driver in the wake of the Christchurch massacre.

    Natalie Rudman, 34, and Sean Allen, 33, were charged with the offence, two days after 50 people were killed at two mosques in Christchurch.

    Officers were called to Queensway in Rochdale shortly after midnight on 17 March to a report that passengers had referenced the attacks while abusing and threatening a taxi driver.

    Ms Rudman, from Heywood, and Mr Allen, from Collyhurst, pleaded not guilty to racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm, or distress at Manchester Magistrates' Court.

    They have been scheduled to go on trial at Manchester Crown Court on 28 June.

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