A MAN has been warned he faces a jail term for racially abusing a fellow train passenger, and then assaulting five officers after police attended his Carlisle home to arrest him for the offence.
At the city’s crown court today (WED), Alex Steventon admitted a total of eight charges arising out of incidents on two separate dates.
Three crimes were committed while Steventon was a passenger on a northbound Virgin Trains service out of London Euston on August 9. He admitted racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence in relation to his illegal behaviour towards a female fellow passenger – a carer – during the journey.
Steventon, 39, further admits two public order offences having used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards a second carer and also a male member of train staff between Preston and Penrith.
The five other offences he admits occurred after British Transport Police officers went to his Currock Street home to arrest him at 6-15pm on September 4. Thereafter, he attacked one officer, causing actual bodily harm, and assaulted four more by beating.
Steventon appeared at Carlisle Crown Court over a video link from Durham Prison and, after entering guilty pleas to the eight offences, stated: “I’m sorry.”
His case was adjourned for a psychiatric assessment. Steventon – said to suffer from bipolar disorder – was remanded in custody and will receive his punishment at the crown court on November 7.
Judge David Potter told him: “You can expect to receive a custodial sentence.”
