An 19-year-old man, Rackeem Thomas, found himself behind bars just one day after being apprehended with a large combat knife at a railway station in south London. Thomas, of no fixed abode, was stopped by a revenue inspector for a ticket check while passing through Dartford railway station last Monday, December 18 he now faces an attempted murder charge following his latest offence committed on a Train between Shortlands and Beckenham Station
Previously Thomas failed to provide a travel ticket, prompting British Transport Police officers to grow suspicious of his nervous demeanour. Upon further investigation, Thomas provided a false name to the officers, leading to his detainment as they prepared to search him. Attempting to flee, Thomas was swiftly apprehended with the assistance of rail staff and wrestled to the ground.
During the struggle, Thomas attempted to retrieve a concealed Rambo-style knife tucked into his waistband. The following day, he pleaded guilty at Medway Magistrates Court to possessing a pointed or bladed article. As a result, he was sentenced to six months in jail, ordered to pay £85 for a forfeiture and destruction order, and a £154 victim surcharge.
Thomas is now scheduled to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on March 30 and has been remanded into custody following the attack that was watched and captured by many on a train. The victim, described as being in his 20s, remains in critical but stable condition in the hospital following the attack on Wednesday.
