Man jailed after assaulting children - Newport

A man has been jailed for 10 months after assaulting two teenagers on a train approaching Newport, following a British Transport Police investigation.

William Loosley, 39, and of Usk Way in Newport, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment at Newport Magistrates Court on 10 April.

Jasmine Brine, 31, and of Two Locks in Cwmbran, also pleaded guilty to one count of assault and was handed a community order for 12 months, 100 hours of unpaid community work, a 90-day abstinence order, and £364 in court and victim costs.

The court heard how at around 11pm on 1 April 2024, the two teenage victims were returning to Newport from Bristol with their friends.

Loosley and Brine were set a few rows behind the group of teenagers and could be seen on CCTV listening intently to what they were saying.

Brine accuses the group of throwing cans of beer around, though none were seen on train CCTV footage. She began to shout at the group, throwing her lipstick at them.

As she walked away, one in the group threw the lipstick back and Brine in response turned around and grabbed the head of the teenage girl.

The teenage boy intervened, attempting to separate Brine and the teenage girl. Loosley then walked over at pace, holding the teenage girl down while punching the teenage boy who briefly lost consciousness.  

Loosley and Brine eventually walked away from the group but continued to verbally abuse and shout at them until the train arrived at Newport where they both left the service.

The incident was reported to BTP, and urgent enquiries were carried out. Both Loosely and Brine were arrested the following day on suspicion of assault.

Investigating officer DC Liam Perry said: “Violent, threatening, or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated on the railway network. Every person has the right to travel in safety and comfort, and no one should be subjected to such awful alarming and distressing behaviour as the victims did.

“This was a vile and unprovoked attack by two adults on teenagers half their age out with their friends, and the injuries sustained could have been significantly worse. I hope a stint in prison provides Loosley the opportunity to reflect on his actions and the consequences of them.”