Jail for man who racially abused BTP officers – Nottinghamshire

A man who threatened to headbutt a member of rail staff before racially abusing police officers has been jailed, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Hayden Wright, 31 (12.11.1994), and of no fixed address, was sentenced on Wednesday 24 June at Mansfield Magistrates' Court to nine months’ imprisonment having pleaded guilty to two counts of Using Threatening Words with Intent to Cause Fear, and two counts of Racially Aggravated Provocation of Violence.

The court heard how, on Wednesday 22 April 2026 at around 6.40pm, a member of rail staff at Nottingham station was made aware of Wright drunkenly shouting at people on the platform.

The staff member asked how they could help Wright, who said he wanted to leave the station. As he was being escorted out, Wright stated he wanted to headbutt the staff member and "do some damage”.

Wright continued to repeat this, acting erratically and swearing aggressively, causing the member of staff to fear for her safety and to report the incident to BTP.

Officers attended and found Wright sat just outside the station, still acting in an aggressive manner. He was arrested on suspicion of a Public Order offence, at which point he became more aggressive and started to push the officers.

He then began to shout that he was going to stab the officers and cut off their heads before racially abusing them. He was further arrested on suspicion of a Racially Aggravated Public Order offence.

As he was being transported to police custody he continued to racially abuse the officers while also threatening to cut off their heads.

BTP Constable Simon Cantrill said: "Wright's actions that day were frankly horrific. He directed vile abuse at a member of rail staff who understandably feared for her safety. I'm therefore very pleased to see Wright behind bars for his actions and hope it sends a clear message that this behaviour will never be tolerated.

"There is no place for violent or intimidating behaviour towards rail staff or to police officers while they work, and just as we have in this case, we will always do everything in our power to ensure offenders face justice. I would urge anyone who witnesses this type of behaviour to report it to us by texting 61016, or dial 999 in an emergency."