Aggressive man who racially abused members of rail staff for being Welsh at Shrewsbury station jailed

A man who threatened and racially abused members of rail staff at Shrewsbury railway station has been jailed for a total of 20 weeks, following a British Transport Police investigation.

Kevin Byrne, 59, and of Sandford Avenue, Church Stretton, was found guilty of racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence at Telford Magistrates’ Court on 25 November 2020.

At around 5.30pm on 13 November 2019, Byrne was asked for a ticket by a member of rail staff when trying to exit through the barriers at Shrewsbury railway station.

The court heard how Byrne threatened the member of rail staff when he was unable to produce a ticket, saying “I am going to slit your throat. If you get me arrested I am going to stab you.”

Byrne became increasingly aggressive and racially abused the member of rail staff for being Welsh. He went on to threaten another member of rail staff, shouting “you are a dead man.”

On 31 December 2020 at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court, Byrne was sentenced to a total of 20 weeks in prison and ordered to pay a total of £1,315 in compensation.

BTP Sergeant Emma Harper said: “Threatening behaviour towards members of rail staff will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

“I am grateful to the courts for the sentence imposed on the defendant and hope it serves as a reminder that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated on the railway.

“We will continue to deal with anti-social behaviour robustly and ensure offenders are brought to justice."