Millennium3

Student who put feet on train seat faces court

A student is being hauled before the courts for putting her feet up on a train seat "for 10 seconds".

Even though she took her flip-flops off the seat straight away when challenged by a Merseyrail enforcement officer and apologised, she has been summonsed to appear before magistrates accused of "wilfully interfering with the comfort or convenience" of other passengers.

Kathleen, 19, a maths student at Manchester University, said: "I was crying my eyes out. I have never been in trouble before and, working with children, I do not want a criminal record."

She is facing a fine and prosecution costs of £150, on top of solicitor's fees, when she appears before magistrates in Chester today.

Kathleen, of Oldham, Greater Manchester, said she was approached by the enforcement officer as the train in which she was travelling approached Chester.

She said: "I had my feet on the seat in front of me - just the edge of my flip-flops. A man in uniform came up to me and said, 'Are you comfortable?'

"I said sorry and moved my feet back to the floor. Then he said that he wanted to see me when I got off the train.

"I got off at Chester and he was waiting. He ushered me over to the side of the platform and cautioned me."

He took down her description, phone number, occupation and even recorded what she was wearing.

Merseyrail is the only rail company to prosecute passengers for putting their feet on seats. About 250 people have been taken to court since the scheme was launched in February.

A company spokesman could not comment because of the impending court case but said the "feet-up" policy had been widely publicised. Stickers are placed on trains and Tannoy announcements made.

It is in response to "passenger feedback" under steps to tackle anti-social behaviour. The spokesman also said that the company had spent £32 million refurbishing its fleet.

Enforcement officers wearing CCTV "head cams" patrol carriages and prosecutions are based on railway bylaws regarding "unacceptable behaviour".

Kathleen's father, Tony, said: "Kathleen has always been an A* student and is a good, considerate girl.

"Why couldn't a fixed penalty notice be given? She could end up with a criminal record on her CV, which could affect her future. It's madness."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.../ntrain104.xml

harryaldridge

What is wrong with a simple "take your feet of the seats, please", "thank you", and leave it at that? Why the need to take further action at great expense and disruption when the passanger willingly complied and apologised? If the passanger had resisted and told the bloke to go play with the traffic then furtehr action would be perhaps justified, but resting your feet on the seat for a few seconds is simply not worth the hassle of a court appearance.

The problem with this country is that the humanity has been stripped out of everything. We are all just little robots in the system. No longer can we treat each other like human beings, we have to have procedures and rules and regulations.

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Little Englander (sour)

Nothing to do with her being English and too white.

Zak64

If she was black she could scream "Racists" and demand £500,000 compensation!

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"There's no way to rule innocent men.
The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals.
Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them.
One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws."~ Ayn Rand.

John Carter

Dirty chav should have been banged up for six months as an example to all the other dirty chavs who do the same thing.

I'm sorry but the bottom of shoes can harbour dog dirt. It's blatant disregard for others to put those shoes where folks may have to sit.

John Carter

Because the vast majority of students would have their feet up again as soon as the inspector left. In case you hadn't noticed, there's a bit of a problem with young people not respecting the law these days.

Phil Sheldon

Update:

A STUDENT prosecuted for putting her feet on a train seat walked free from court today with an absolute discharge.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....t_student.html

Court branded Merseyrail action "Draconian"

There's a novelty: A Magistrate with common sense.

harryaldridge

Yes, thanks. I am more than aware of that 'little' problem. My point is that if a passanger complies willingly (you can usually tell if they are going to put their feet back up when you turn your back) then there is no need to take it further. If he though she might repeat the offence then he could keep an eye on her and if she did it again then take action. Or are we to assume everybody is a little ****?

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g hall

It's why many people only use public transport when there is no alternative

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John Carter

Yes, I've found this approach to be very helpful in modern Britain.

If they weren't a little ****, they'd know better than to put their feet up in the first place, no?