South African Man Acquitted in Case Involving Racial Slur Near Rugby Star Ugo Monye

Court rules prosecutors failed to prove the defendant knew the term was offensive in the UK, citing cultural differences and lack of intent.

Angus Beukes, a South African mechanic, was found not guilty of causing racially aggravated harassment after using the n-word near former England rugby player Ugo Monye at a November 2023 rugby match in Exeter.
Beukes argued in court that the term is commonly used without offense in South Africa and claimed he was unaware of its offensive meaning in the UK.
Magistrates concluded that prosecutors failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Beukes knew the term was offensive in Britain or intended to cause alarm or distress.
Witnesses testified that Beukes directed the term toward a South African friend to reprimand her, though Monye alleged it was used multiple times in his presence.
The Rugby Football Union and the Exeter Chiefs issued apologies to Monye, who expressed frustration over the incident and the lack of intervention from bystanders.