Derek Acton, a 37-year-old unemployed man, reached the Goodge Street tube station on February 27, 2010 and pushed through the gates and lifts of the tube. He was inebriated and did not have a ticket.

When a member of tube staff stopped him, he became enraged. Seeing the matter go beyond his power, the staff called the stationmaster. However, Acton attacked the stationmaster and kicked him in the thigh. The British Transport Police was called at the station to arrest him. Acton even pushed a police officer while he was trying to arrest him.

This led to him being prosecuted before the City of Westminster Magistrates‘ Court for the charges of common assault, assaulting a police officer and threatening behaviour. He appeared for the proceeding and admitted his guilt.

He has been given 12 weeks incarceration. However, the incarceration has been currently suspended for one year. He has been ordered to pay £100 each as damages to both the persons he attacked. Further, the court has subjected him to a supervision order for the next one year.

Condemning such behaviour against the tube staff, Aidan Harris, London Underground’s Workplace Violence Unit Manager, said that everyone needs a valid ticket to travel. Any traveller acting in such manners with the staff will not be allowed to get away without punishment.

This is one of the many incidents of attacks on tube workers that have London Underground worried about safety.

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Posted by admin on Monday, May 24th, 2010 at 4:15 am.