Jailed after threatening staff at railway station

Mon 8th February 2010 3.36PM

A MAN who waved a knife at and threatened a female member of railway staff and another man at Taunton railway station has been jailed for 16 months, following a prosecution brought by British Transport Police, BTP. William Reilly, 51, was charged with affray and possessing an offensive weapon following an incident on Wednesday 18 November. Police were called to the station at about 8pm by a member of First Great Western railway staff who had been approached by a man who told her he was being chased by Reilly who was threatening to stab him. Reilly entered the station and walked towards the other man brandishing an 11cm serrated steak knife.

The member of rail staff then put her own life at risk by standing between the two men and shouting at Reilly to put the knife down. Reilly then threatened the member of staff as she backed away from him fearing for her safety. The other man then grabbed Reilly and threw him to the floor. Reilly dropped the knife and the member of staff picked it up before Reilly could get to it. BTP and colleagues from Avon and Somerset Police arrived and Reilly, who had been drinking earlier, was taken to hospital where he received stitches to a hand wound caused during the struggle. He was later arrested while still at hospital.

Reilly, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to a total of 16 months imprisonment when he appeared at Taunton Crown Court in December. Detective Inspector Mick Southerton said: “This was a particularly horrible incident and extremely frightening for all of those involved on the platform at the time. “The member of First Great Western staff who was in uniform at the time and intervened acted with great bravery and BTP will recommend her for a commendation from our Chief Constable.” A First Great Western spokesman said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of this case and we wopuld like to express our thanks to everyone involved in the incident and who helped bring Reilly to justice.”