Rail enthusiast smashed up train: Student 'flipped' and threw table onto line in front of 90mph express
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A RAIL enthusiast who 'flipped' smashed up one of the trains he loved and threw a table on the line in front of an express travelling at 90mph, a court was told yesterday.
David Whitley, 19, caused more than pounds 12,000 damage to seven coaches on the empty train as it was being moved between stations across the country, Oxford Crown Court heard.
In an act of 'vandalism on an epic scale', he wrecked lavatories, windows, doors, seats and tables, Gerard Quirke, for the prosecution, said.
Whitley, a tourism and geography student at Oxford Brookes University, admitted four charges of damaging British Rail property, obstructing a train and stealing food from the buffet. He was ordered to do 200 hours community service.
The court was told Whitley was a member of the Class 47 Society - enthusiasts who travel in as many trains pulled by type-47 engines as they can. On 7 February he went from Manchester to Southampton with a one-way ticket.
He stowed away on the empty train as it was being moved to Derby, intending to get off in Oxford - but it was not scheduled to stop. When he realised it was not stopping, Whitley panicked, got into the guard's van and operated the brake. As the train halted, the driver saw a man get off and the damage was discovered.
When police later identified the man as Whitley, he told them: 'I just flipped.'
The court was told a psychiatrist found Whitley suffered from a disorder that made him live in a state of enslavement, unable to relate to others.
Judge Charles Harris, sentencing, said Whitley had turned violently upon 'an object of his affection'.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments