A Kent rail fare dodger has been jailed for having a Rambo knife concealed in the waistband of his trousers.
Rackeem Thomas, 18, of no fixed abode, admitted possession of a bladed article when he appeared in custody at Medway Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 19th December 2023.
Possession of a bladed article is an offence under section 139(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. The offence, which is triable either way, has a maximum penalty of 6 months' custody on summary conviction, 4 years' custody on conviction on indictment.
Magistrates heard that Thomas was caught bunking the fare at Dartford Railway Station on Monday, 18th December 2023.
He was challenged by gateline staff, who alerted nearby British Transport Police officers.
Officers were suspicious of his furtive manner and nervous behaviour. Their suspicions were confirmed when the 18-year-old tried to fob them off with a fake name.
Thomas was detained for the purposes of a search, but tried to break away and flee from the station. He was quickly apprehended and taken to the ground by officers and rail staff.
While restrained, Thomas tried to withdraw the 10-inch bladed knife from the waistband of his trousers.
Magistrates were of the view that Thomas' offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence was appropriate.
He was sentenced to 26 weeks' custody and ordered to pay £85 towards prosecution costs and £154 surcharge.
Magistrates also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the knife.
PC Alex Morgan, of the British Transport Police, said: "Thomas is clearly a dangerous individual, and I am extremely pleased to see him sentenced to 6 months' imprisonment less than 24 hours after officers found him committing the offence.
"It is incredibly rewarding to get a violent individual and horrendous knife off the rail network, and I hope this sends a clear signal to offenders that anyone caught in possession of these dangerous weapons in public will be brought to justice."
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