Vandal Jailed After Bottle Smash and Knife Threat at Peterborough Station
A brazen vandal who smashed a police van window with a bottle and then threatened rail staff with a penknife has been locked up.
Two-Day Crime Spree at Peterborough Railway Station
Joshua Johnstone, 23, from Eastfield Road, Peterborough, caused chaos over two days in May 2022 at Peterborough station. First, he hurled a glass bottle through the driver’s side window of a British Transport Police (BTP) van, shattering it. An officer on duty saw the rampage and swiftly arrested him.
Johnstone laughed off the arrest but faced court the very next day. Despite being charged, he returned to the station, where a rail employee told him to smoke outside. That’s when he whipped out a penknife and threatened the worker.
Quick Police Response Ends Threatening Behaviour
He then went outside the station, tapping a window with the knife and staring down the rail staff. Officers quickly intervened and arrested him for possessing a bladed article in a public place.
Judge Hands Down Prison Sentence
On May 24, Johnstone was sentenced to six months behind bars for the knife offence. Then, on June 20, he got an extra month for the criminal damage charge.
“Johnstone’s actions during his two-day crime spree were barbaric and completely unnecessary,” said BTP Inspector David Barker. “After damaging a marked police vehicle, he returned with a knife to intimidate a rail employee just doing their job.”
“Threats against rail staff or anyone on the rail network will not be tolerated. I’m grateful to the courts for sending Johnstone to prison, giving him time to reflect on his actions.”
