Sheffield fare-dodger caused train delay after throwing scooter onto railway tracks

A railway passenger who was caught travelling without a ticket caused a 15-minute delay after he threw a child’s scooter onto a train line.
By Jon Cooper
Published 15th Jul 2021, 09:23 BST
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Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard on July 14 how Jake France, aged 30, of Norgreave Way, Halfway, Sheffield, was caught travelling on a train without a ticket at Chapeltown railway station in Sheffield.

Chantel Lowery-Green, prosecuting, said France was asked to get off the train but he became angry and he threw a child’s scooter onto the train tracks.

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Ms Lowery-Green added that France climbed out of the train and said he was going to wait there for the next train to run him over but he was persuaded to go the platform.

Sheffield Magsitrates' Court heard how a fare-dodger at Sheffield's Chapeltown railway station, pictured, caused a 15 minute delay after he threw a scooter onto the train tracks.Sheffield Magsitrates' Court heard how a fare-dodger at Sheffield's Chapeltown railway station, pictured, caused a 15 minute delay after he threw a scooter onto the train tracks.
Sheffield Magsitrates' Court heard how a fare-dodger at Sheffield's Chapeltown railway station, pictured, caused a 15 minute delay after he threw a scooter onto the train tracks.

The train was delayed for about 15 minutes, according to Ms Lowery-Green.

France, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to trespassing on land at Chapletown railway station dangerously close to train lines after the incident on March 12, 2021.

The defendant, who represented himself, said: “At the time I was at a hostel at Chapeltown because I was on the street. I had to go to Sheffield centre every day for medication and they normally let me on and things, and my mental health was really bad and it’s still not brilliant but I’m getting quite a bit of help with it.

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"I do not travel on trains anymore. I am sorry about doing it. I lost my temper and it should not have happened really.”

Magistrates sentenced France to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay a £22 victim surcharge.