Six years in prison for robber who violently attacked man on train in North Wales

A man has been jailed for six years after violently attacking a man and stealing his possessions.

David James Kelly, 24, and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and was sentenced to six years in prison on 28 September.

He was also issued with a restraining order and was ordered to pay £190 victim surcharge.

The court heard how on Tuesday 27 July 2021, Kelly and the victim boarded a train at Holyhead railway station, heading towards Birmingham, having both travelled into Holyhead on a ferry.

Around half an hour into the journey, as the train approached Bangor, an argument broke out between Kelly and the victim.

Kelly then viciously assaulted the victim, extensively punching and beating him around the head multiple times, continuing even after the victim had fallen to the floor.

During the assault, Kelly stole several possessions from the victim including almost 2,000 Euros in cash, his suitcase, passport, watch and travel documents.

When the train arrived at Bangor, a member of the public who witnessed the incident informed rail staff, who in turn called the police. Kelly meanwhile fled into Bangor with the stolen items.

Within half an hour of being informed, and having been provided a description of Kelly, North Wales Police officers located him in the centre of Bangor and arrested him.

The victim attended hospital suffering facial injuries including a nasal fracture, swelling and bruising.

Kelly was subsequently interviewed by British Transport Police officers and was charged and remanded in custody for robbery, before subsequently pleading guilty at Mold Crown Court.

BTP Sergeant Rob Thomas said: “This was a vicious, violent and brazen robbery which left the victim with significant facial injuries.

“Such incidents are very rare on the rail network in North Wales, and we will do everything possible to bring offenders to justice.

“Due to the swift actions of the witness, rail staff, North Wales Police and BTP officers, a violent offender has been taken off the network for a significant period and the victim has been reunited with his possessions.

“I hope the sentence given to Kelly by the court will serve as a reminder that such behaviour will absolutely not be tolerated on the railway.”