'Intimidating' passenger jailed after officers forensically examined spit he hurled at staff in Embankment station - London
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A man has been jailed for spitting at railway staff at Embankment station in London – he was caught when officers forensically examined his spit.
Richard Macken, 27, shoved through the ticket barriers, slung a middle finger at staff, and tried fighting them while shouting violent threats.
He spat at staff twice, missing both times, spat at the control room window then lobbed tube maps around the station before leaving.
Staff used specialist kit to collect Macken’s spit from the window. It was analysed, and Macken was identified and arrested.
Macken, of no fixed address, was charged with common assault and sentenced at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday 12 August after pleading guilty.
He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison.
The incident itself happened at around 5pm on Sunday 7 March.
PC Steve Russell of the London Underground Staff Assaults team said: “Macken’s behaviour was intimidating and chaotic, he tried hard to spit at staff in the middle of a pandemic, threatened them and caused a mess in the station.
“They were just trying to do their jobs in what was and still is a difficult time.
“Thankfully, their quick thinking ensured they used a spit kit to collect key evidence which helped identify Macken. These kits are excellent in tracking offenders who try wielding their spit as a weapon to create fear and concern.”
Richard Macken:
