Melissa Rein Lively, 40, admitted assaulting a woman after a famiyl were allegedly racially abused by her partner at a London Underground station
An American MAGA influencer has admitted assaulting a woman at a London tube station. US citizen Melissa Rein Lively accepted a conditional caution and the assault by beating charge against her was dropped, Westminster Magistrates’ Court was informed.
Rein Lively, 40, yanked the woman’s hair in a “forceful manner” during an incident at Bond Street Underground station on October 11 last year.
Prosecutor Lyndon Harris informed the court: “Ms Lively has accepted a conditional caution in response to the allegation against her. That involved an admission to the conduct alleged against her and acknowledgement it amounts to an offence, and she has agreed to pay £910 in compensation.”
Rein Lively has not yet settled the compensation, the court heard, and it is scheduled for payment in July.
The 40-year-old, who established an “anti-woke” PR company called America First PR according to her Instagram profile, failed to attend court for a brief hearing on Tuesday morning.
Rein Lively faced charges alongside Philipp Ostermann, 37, who was accused of two racially aggravated public order offences and an additional public order offence against two alleged victims.
Ostermann, who donned a white shirt and dark suit and occupied seats before the dock, entered not guilty pleas to the three charges against him.
Prosecutors stated two sisters were walking towards the underground station and one of them had her two children with her, wheeling one of them in a pushchair. The duo spotted Ostermann and Rein Lively ahead, who seemed to be kissing, the court was told.
“It appeared to one of the sisters that Mr Ostermann and Ms Lively may have been intoxicated,” stated Mr Harris.
Rein Lively then seemed to stumble into the pushchair, the court heard, and the sister holding the pushchair pushed back.
It is claimed Ostermann then racially insulted the pair, stating: “You bloody Indians, watch where you’re going, you shouldn’t be here.”
Ostermann then attempted to kiss Rein Lively again, the court was informed.
“The sister said words to the effect of ‘She fell over my sister’s pushchair, we are not even Indian, stop being racist’,” Mr Harris relayed.
Rein Lively then yanked the hair of one of the sisters, grabbing it and pulling it forcefully, the court heard.
The sister grabbed Rein Lively’s hair in return to get her to let go, prosecutors said.
Ostermann was released on unconditional bail and instructed to return to City of London Magistrates’ Court on November 17 to face trial.