Threatened by a member of my art class

[Fortitudine]

I run a couple of art and craft classes in my village, and have done for several years.

Last year, a woman joined who I had reservations about as she seemed a bit flaky. She came to a couple of classes, but did not attend regularly. She then came back to class this year, and said she hadn't previously attended because she had been embroiled in taking her landlord to court (she lost the case).

She had missed about four classes, and texted me to say that it was because she'd had to attend hospital with a tooth abscess and had a bad reaction to drugs she'd been given. She then proceeded to unleash a vile, racist rant about "foreign, Muslim doctors", and how they should all be "sent back". It was appalling, and i told her that I thought her views were vile and disgusting. She then sent me a load of links to Britain First bilge. At this point I said that I was not happy with someone who held views that were basically incitement to racial hatred being a part of my class, and I would prefer it if she no longer attended. Unfortunately this has released the crazy. She's saying I'm racist to her because she's Welsh. She also wants a refund into her bank account of all money she's paid for classes, and has threatened me if I don't do so.

I am not prepared to refund money for classes she has (happily) attended, but now she is threatening me with small claims court. Any advice? I'm keeping meticulous records of any communication, but if I'm honest this woman scares me because of her unpredictability and extreme views.

[ElsaAintAsColdAsMe]

I would report her to the police, and keep doing so every time she sends a threat or anything racist.

I very much doubt she will take you to court too, she attended the classes so has no case.

Sorry this is happening to you

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

She sounds horrible but I don't agree with kicking someone out of an art class because you don't like their personal views on something completely unrelated.

Were the classes paid for in advance?

[Fortitudine]

The classes were not paid for in advance.

The views she espoused were so extremely racist that I could not comfortably have been in a class with her again. I'm talking incitement to racial hatred, stating people should be killed. I felt totally justified in banning her, as she was breaking the law.

[ImperialBlether]

So people pay for each class as it occurs and she wants her money back for classes she's attended? She's barking mad.

But I agree with the others - report her to the police.

[Fortitudine]

She was the only one who paid per class as she'd kicked up such a huge fuss about paying teeny. Another huge red flag, in hindsight.

[Fortitudine]

Termly not teeny!

[Fortitudine]

I have reported her to the police after she threatened my family in one of her emails.