Man jailed for threatening train conductor with bottle - Sheffield

A man who threatened a train conductor has been jailed following a British Transport Police investigation.

 

 

Philip Longstaff, aged 51, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour and was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment by Sheffield magistrates' on Tuesday 17 January.

He was also fined £50.

 

The court heard how Longstaff, who had been released from prison on license less than 24 hours earlier, became abusive to the conductor on a Northern service travelling between Meadowhall and Sheffield stations on Monday 16 January.

 

Longstaff pinned the conductor against the wall of the train when he discovered him hiding in the toilet. He held his clenched fist to the victim's face while clutching a bottle in his other hand, which the conductor feared he was about to use as a weapon.

 

A passenger on the service texted British Transport Police using the 61016 number and officers attended at the next station.

 

Longstaff was arrested and continued his tirade of abuse asking for his cuffs to be removed so he could break the jaw of the arresting officer. Once in custody he became violent, punching the interview room walls.

 

Investigating officer PC Dave Price said: "This was a terrifying encounter for a man who was simply going about his duties as part of his job. Everyone has the right to travel safely and to feel safe in their place of work.

"Behaviour like this is abhorrent and we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible before the courts."

 

Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern, said: “While thankfully, incidents such as this are rare, behaviour like this will not be tolerated by Northern. 

 

“As part of our on-going fleet upgrade, high-definition CCTV that can be monitored in real time by the British Transport Police is being installed on our trains. Many of our staff also wear bodyworn cameras which are used to tackle anti-social or criminal behaviour.

 

“Alongside the British Transport Police, we are committed to making our trains and stations as safe as possible for both our staff and customers.”