Man jailed for making “nasty and frightening” threats to teenage girls – North Wales

A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to eight weeks in prison after he verbally abused and threatened a group of teenage girls on a North Wales train.

Following a British Transport Police investigation, Nicholas Lyon, of Tŷ’n Rhos, Criccieth, Gwynedd, pleaded guilty to Section 4a Public Order Act at Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 3 August.  He was also ordered to pay court fees and a victim surcharge totalling £239.

The court heard how, on Friday 30 December last year at about 4.20pm, a group of four teenage girls boarded a train at Llandudno Junction and sat down at a table together.  Lyon was already on the train and sat adjacent to the group of girls.

They first noticed Lyon because he was having a conversation on his mobile phone and drinking vodka straight from the bottle.

Initially, Lyon tried to engage them in light conversation, but the conversation soon changed and he started threatening violence and became verbally abusive.  Two of the girls left the table, leaving the other two girls too scared to move.

When the train arrived at Bangor, Lyon made one more foul comment to the girls before leaving the train.  They also left the train at Bangor and made a report to BTP.  Lyon was arrested later that evening.

Investigating officer, PC Hayley Harder, said

"This was a particularly nasty and frightening incident for those involved.  They were simply going about their business on a normal afternoon, only to have Lyon inflict a barrage of foul language and threats.  I really do want to thank the girls for their help and bravery in helping to put Lyons behind bars where he belongs.

"No one should suffer abuse or threats of violence while travelling on the rail network.  I hope this prison sentence will act as a clear message that we will always take action in such cases.”

If anyone experiences such behaviour, they can text BTP on 61016 or call 0800 405040. In an emergency, always call 999.  Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.