Man sentenced after assaulting security staff – Llandudno Junction

A man who assaulted security staff and was found with drugs at Llandudno Junction railway station has been sentenced, following a British Transport Police investigation.

John McTear, aged 33, and of Esplanade, Penmaenmawr, was found guilty of assault, being in possession of class B drugs, and committing an offence during the period of a suspended sentence.

On 23 February at Llandudno Magistrates' court, he was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for a year, and ordered to pay a total of £485 in compensation and fines. McTear was also handed a 26-week curfew from 7pm to 7am and is required to attend a rehabilitation programme.

The court heard how, on Saturday 10 July 2021, McTear alighted a train at Llandudno Junction railway station and was trying to get to Penmaenmawr.

McTear, who was visibly intoxicated, tried to board a train going to Crewe when he was noticed by his victim – a member of station security staff, who advised him that train was not going to Penmaenmawr.

He then tried to board a train to Llandudno, before being stopped by the train manager who advised he had already travelled on the service to Llandudno and back three times. 

McTear was told to leave the station to sober up by security, as it was unsafe for him to be within the railway environment while in such an intoxicated state. McTear responded by becoming aggressive towards one of the security guards and poked him hard in the chest a couple of times.

Security then attempted to escort him out of the station, but McTear resisted and started to kick one of the security guards, resulting in having to be restrained.

Police were called as McTear continued to behave aggressively towards the security outside the station in the car park.

Officers arrived and arrested McTear for assault. Amphetamine was also subsequently found in his wallet.

BTP Sergeant Rob Thomas said: “This situation could have easily and peacefully been resolved if McTear had listened to the security - who were simply doing their jobs - and left the railway. Instead he chose to be aggressive towards them and assaulted them. The railway is not a safe environment when you are as intoxicated as he was, and the security did everything possible to help him.

“It is disappointing and frustrating that throughout the time he was dealt with, McTear refused to take any responsibility for his own actions.  

“We are grateful for the sentence imposed by the court and hope it shows that physical and verbal assaults will not be tolerated on the railway, be they towards the public, rail staff or our own officers.”