A man who subjected railway station staff to racist and homophobic abuse, and assaulted a train guard, has been sentenced to prison following an investigation by British Transport Police (BTP).
Incident Details
John Gilbert, 40, of no fixed abode, appeared at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday, 20 March, where he was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment. He previously pleaded guilty to charges of racially and homophobically aggravated harassment, assault, and possession of a knife.
The court heard that on 1 August 2024, Gilbert walked through the gates at Woking railway station without scanning his ticket. When a member of staff asked him to scan his ticket, he immediately became aggressive, directing homophobic abuse at a colleague.
As station staff tried to manage the situation and requested him to leave, Gilbert continued his tirade, directing both racist and homophobic slurs at the employees.
During the incident, Gilbert also assaulted a train guard who attempted to intervene. Police were called, and officers quickly arrived on the scene, arresting Gilbert. A knife was also found in his possession during the search.
Sentencing and Reaction
Sentencing him to 16 months, the judge condemned Gilbert’s actions as “shocking and unacceptable”. The court noted the distress caused to railway staff, who were simply doing their jobs when they were subjected to his violent and abusive behavior.
A spokesperson for the British Transport Police said:
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of the offenses committed. Rail staff should be able to carry out their duties without facing verbal abuse, violence, or threats. We hope this conviction sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.”
Support for Victims
The BTP has assured continued support for the victims involved and praised the station staff for their bravery and professionalism during the incident.
Anyone who witnesses similar incidents on public transport is encouraged to report it immediately by calling British Transport Police on 61016 or through the BTP app.
