Teen cost Northern £25k by opening train doors mid-journey

Thomas Stevens committed the illegal acts on eight separate rail services over a two-week period in September 2020.

In doing so, emergency brakes were activated, causing the trains to come to an abrupt stop and running the risk of causing serious injury to passengers.

The now 20-year-old appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentence on Monday after pleading guilty to eight counts of endangering the safety of a person conveyed by railway.

But he was spared an immediate custodial sentence due to his ‘vulnerabilities’ and the court’s belief that sending him to youth detention would have a ‘disproportionate effect’.

Zillah Williams, prosecuting, explained to the court how Stevens caused the trains to stop by pulling the doors ajar, putting his foot in the gap and forcing the doors open.

This activated the trains’ emergency brakes, causing it to stop much quicker than normal, and having the potential of causing whiplash and other injuries, although this was thankfully not the case.

Stevens committed the acts between September 17 and 29, 2020, on services in the Warrington, Widnes, Trafford and Knowsley areas.

Ms Williams described it as a ‘unique case’, but explained that in 2018 when the defendant was around 17, he acted in a similar fashion.

The matter was dealt with outside of the court system by police and safety representatives from Network Rail, who tried to work with him to prevent any future occurrences.

An arrangement was made at the time that if Stevens was not travelling on a train with a supporting adult, he should make himself known to train staff to assist him.

Thomas Stevens was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court

Simon Christie, defending, said that the prospect of immediate custody ‘frightened’ his client, who was described as having ‘vulnerabilities’.

“None of his actions were malicious in an attempt to cause harm,” the barrister added.

Stevens, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the offences at first opportunity and offered a full confession and apology to police.

Before sentencing, recorder Robert Lazarus said: “Just about everyone in society of all ages, rich or poor, needs to use the railway, and many people cannot travel by any other means, particularly vulnerable people.

“The activities you engaged in were extremely dangerous indeed, and the potential of someone falling out of a train moving at high speed is obvious.”

He went on to say: “You were aware what you were doing was wrong. CCTV footage showed you checking the coast was clear before you attempted to open the doors, so I do not believe what you were doing was entirely impulsive.

“Your report demonstrates quite clearly your unfortunate disabilities played a significant part in this illegal behaviour.

“I am satisfied, taking all into account, your offending is not so serious that there needs to be an immediate custodial sentence.

“I consider if I do give immediate detention, this will have a disproportionate effect on you.”

Stevens, of Partridge Close in Birchwood, Warrington was sentenced to eight months detention suspended for 18 months and ordered to complete 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

A prohibited activity requirement order was also made for 18 months prohibiting him from travelling on a train unless escorted by a responsible adult.