Six months in jail for Metro attacker

Jake Lancaster was sentenced at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 12 December after pleading guilty to two counts of assault and a public order offence onboard Sunderland Metros in November.

The court heard how on Sunday, 11 November, Lancaster was travelling on a Metro between Millfield and Pallion stations when he got into an altercation with a woman. Suddenly Lancaster lashed out at her, spitting in her face before kicking her in the head and pouring beer from a can he was carrying.

Witnessing the attack, another passenger stepped in between the pair, in an attempt to stop the attack. However, Lancaster hit out at him and punched him in the head. The second victim was left with bruising to his face, eye and jaw.

The court also heard that Lancaster’s attacks continued, when he assaulted another man at St Peter’s Metro station a week later on Friday, 23 November. Passengers waiting on the platform were left fearing for their own safety and BTP officers were alerted.

Lancaster was sentenced to three months each for the common assault offences, to run concurrently, and a further three months for public order, which is to run consecutively.

PC Dave Burns, the investigating officer, said: “I hope this sentencing sends a strong message that violent behaviour will not be tolerated on the Metro network by police or the courts and officers will do all they can to bring those responsible to justice.”