Boozy Train Thug Attacks Fellow-Passenger

A railway yob – preoccupied on his mobile phone – viciously punched a fellow-passenger twice in the face for simply brushing past him, causing a lip wound needing seven stitches.

An enjoyable Sunday night out with his fiancé was ruined for 30 year-old Caterham retail manager Steve Coombs, who now suffers flashbacks every time he passes through Balham Railway Station.

Part-time scaffolder Terry Sevier, 27, of Bedford Hill, Balham, pleaded guilty to assault, causing actual bodily harm, at the station on August 30, last year and was jailed for eight months at Southwark Crown Court.

“Your behaviour was deplorable and deeply anti-social,” Judge David Higgins told Sevier, who fled the attack, but was identified by CCTV.

Prosecutor Mr. Gavin Ludlow-Thompson told the court it was 11pm when the victim noticed a drunken Sevier (pictured) descending the platform exit ramp towards him.

“He was not looking where he was going, but was instead looking at the screen of his mobile phone and the victim tried to move out of the way and they brushed.

“The victim thought nothing of it, but was followed by the defendant who was shouting and swearing. He was beside himself with rage.

“They attempted to calm the defendant down and the victim even said:’ Look, it’s all my fault. I’m sorry,’ even though he knew it wasn’t,” explained Mr. Ludlow-Thompson.

“The defendant gets close, into his face, swearing incoherently, and the fiancé is pushed out of the way.

“The victim is punched twice in the face, causing a laceration to the mouth, and is treated at St. George’s Hospital where he receives seven stitches.”

The couple were chased by Sevier and sought sanctuary in a platform office, where staff managed to usher him away, but he continued banging angrily on the door before fleeing.

Judge Higgins told Sevier, who has been locked-up since December 8, last year and has convictions for theft and robbery: “The victim was left with a small permanent scar on his lip plus a feeling of apprehension when travelling on the railway.

“Your personal circumstances do not excuse actions of this deplorable kind.”