Thug jailed for robbing woman on train - Farnborough

A man has been jailed for a year for the violent robbery of a woman on a train in Farnborough, following a British Transport Police investigation.

Leon Farry, 26 (01/09/1998), and of Farnborough, pleaded guilty to robbery at Winchester Crown Court on 14 May and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment at Reading Crown Court on 13 June.

The court heard how on 7 June 2024, just before midnight, the victim was sat with her boyfriend on a train approaching Farnborough railway station.

While her boyfriend was asleep, Farry approached the victim and grabbed her handbag by the strap from the table in front of her, attempting to snatch it.

The victim grabbed the handle to prevent Farry from taking her bag and, as they struggled over it, Farry struck her in the face.

Eventually Farry was able to pull the bag away and ran onto the platform to escape. The victim's boyfriend, who had woken during the struggle, shouted for someone to stop Farry.

An off duty Metropolitan Police officer and a prison officer heard the shouts and managed to detain Farry on the platform, before calling BTP.

Officers arrived shortly after, and Farry was arrested on suspicion of robbery and taken into custody.

Detective Constable Ewen Roberts said: “Farry acted with staggering levels of arrogance and aggression, lashing out violently at the victim when he wasn’t able to get what he wanted.

“This was an incredibly scary and horrific incident for the victim, so I’m extremely pleased to see Farry put behind bars. There is absolutely no place for violence or robbery on the railway network, and I hope this case serves as an example to those who would seek to profit at the detriment of others on the railway network.”

Anyone who is victim to or witnesses a robbery on the railway network is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40. In an emergency, always dial 999.