Rail rage rumpus

11:32am Friday 17th August 2001

A RAIL RAGE commuter who pushed a train attendant onto the tracks at Bromley South train station has been warned he faces jail.

When plumber Frederick Coltman, 54, flipped after missing his train home by seconds, he grabbed terrified Phillip Hunt and sent him sprawling towards a live rail.

West Dulwich resident Mr Hunt smashed his head on the metal track and just managed to scramble clear minutes before another train pulled in.

The Connex employee suffered two deep gashes to the back of his head which required 15 stitches and tore ligaments in his back.

Middlesex Crown Court heard how the incident happened as Mr Hunt was giving the all-clear for the 8.21pm service to Ramsgate on January 22.

As the train pulled away, Coltman ran alongside it desperately trying to open the doors.

Prosecutor Robert English told the jury: “Mr Hunt remained on the platform until the train cleared.

“He was standing two feet away from the platform edge when Coltman raised both hands up towards Mr Hunt and forcefully pushed him over the edge of the platform and onto the tracks.

Missing the live rail by inches, Mr Hunt lay stunned in a pool of blood while members of staff battled to get him off the tracks with only three minutes before the next train arrived.

Coltman was arrested but, when interviewed, claimed he had bumped into Mr Hunt and it was an accident.

A Connex spokesman said: “We deplore any acts of violence against our employees and will continue to take the strongest action to support our staff in these cases.

Coltman, of Augusta Road, Ramsgate, was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm but acquitted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Remanding him on bail until September 14 while pre-sentence reports are prepared, Judge Fabyan Evans warned: “That does not mean a non-custodial sentence is likely to follow for this offence.”

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