Published by Robert L Senior Reporter, on Thursday, 9th May 2024, at 12:35hrs
A man is starting a custodial sentence after robbing a teen whilst travelling on a train in Greater Manchester.
British Transport Police said, “A man has been jailed for three years after robbing a teenager of their phone, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.
Connor Hetherington, 31, and of Rochdale Road in Bury, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and was sentenced to three years imprisonment at Bolton Crown Court on 1 May 2024. He was further made to pay a victim surcharge of £228.
The court heard how on Saturday 23 March 2024, just before 7pm, the teenage victim boarded a Northern Rail service heading to Hindley. When the train stopped at Wigan Wallgate, Hetherington boarded alongside two others and began to act in an anti-social manner.
Soon after, Hetherington began to talk to the victim asking if he had music on his phone but when shut down, he said: “If you don’t give me your phone, I’m going to wrag (sic) you about everywhere and stab you.”
As Hetherington said this, he started to slowly unzip his pocket intimating he had a knife. The victim then handed over his phone before two individuals travelling with Hetherington pressured him into giving the phone back.
The train arrived at Hindley station and the victim ran to a train conductor on the platform and reported the robbery before leaving the station. This report was passed on to BTP, and when the train arrived at Manchester Victoria, BTP officers met the train and arrested Hetherington on suspicion of robbery.
Investigating officer DC Melissa Catterall said: “I’m extremely pleased with the sentence handed down. Hetherington, who was on a conditional licence for a sexual assault when he committed this robbery, acted with immense cruelty, targeting a lone teenage traveller for his own gain.
“Although the teenager was understandably afraid, his bravery to report the crime when he did meant our officers could meet Hetherington at the station and arrest him.
“If you experience or witness a crime on the railway, you should text 61016 or via the Railway Guardian app or talk to an officer or member of staff. In an emergency, always dial 999.”
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