THREE men who kicked and stamped on a fellow passenger as “Wild West” violence flared on a packed West Cumbria train have narrowly escaped prison.
Carlisle Crown Court heard how a mass brawl began on the busy Whitehaven-Carlisle service, between Parton and Harrington, shortly after 8-30pm on March 30 last year.
One passenger approached a group of drunken males amid an incident involving a teenage girl. But, in response, he was attacked by Daniel Lloyd, 27, Shaun Wilson, 26, and 31-year-old Scott McMaster.
A female train guard who bravely waded in to try and stop what one bystander described as a “Wild West” mass brawl saw one of the trio strike the victim “as if kicking a football” while he lay prone on the floor. He suffered cuts, swelling and reddening to his head and face.”
Lloyd and Wilson, both of Ellen Garth; and McMaster, of St Mungo’s Park, all Aspatria; all later admitted affray.
They were said to be men without previous convictions who had acted “out of character” on that night. All were sorry for their bad behaviour, and stood to lose jobs and homes if jailed. “None of these defendants,” said Lloyd’s barrister, Jamie Baxter, “were looking for trouble.”
Judge Brian Cummings QC said he was “just persuaded” not to send the trio to prison but told them it had been “a very close call”. Each had a 14-month jail term suspended for two years, and must complete 200 hours’ unpaid work and pay £750 costs.
“All three of you were kicking and stamping on him as he lay on the floor and he lost consciousness,” Judge Cummings told the men. “Your reaction, each of you, was grossly disproportionate.”
