Jailed: Racist Shropshire man abused railway worker for being Welsh
A racist who threatened to slit a railway staff member's throat and abused them for being Welsh has been jailed.
Kevin Byrne, 59, hurled insults and threats at Shrewsbury railway station staff when he was asked to produce his ticket when leaving.
At his trial, Telford Magistrates Court heard how Byrne was asked for a ticket by a member of rail staff when trying to exit through the barriers at Shrewsbury railway station at around 5.30pm on November 13, 2019.
The court heard how Byrne threatened the member of rail staff when he was unable to produce a ticket, saying “I am going to slit your throat. If you get me arrested I am going to stab you.”
Byrne became increasingly aggressive and racially abused the member of rail staff for being Welsh. He went on to threaten another member of rail staff, shouting “you are a dead man.”
Byrne, of Sandford Avenue, Church Stretton, was found guilty of racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence, and was sentenced to a total of 20 weeks in prison and ordered to pay a total of £1,315 in compensation.
British Transport Police sergeant Emma Harper said: “Threatening behaviour towards members of rail staff will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
“I am grateful to the courts for the sentence imposed on the defendant and hope it serves as a reminder that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated on the railway.
“We will continue to deal with anti-social behaviour robustly and ensure offenders are brought to justice."
If you experience hate crime on public transport, contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 at any time. If you’re in immediate danger, always call 999.
