“Hall’s behaviour was having a significant impact on our communities and transport network”

A man who has caused serious disruption to the Tyne and Wear transport network, including urinating and and defecating inside vehicles, including in passenger seating areas, has been put behind bars.

Since July last year, Richard Hall had been a regular topic of discussion between Northumbria Police and transport providers due to repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour, including on trains, buses and, most frequently, the Metro network.

These incidents led to services being disrupted, vehicles being taken out of operation for cleaning, and inconvenience to passengers travelling across the region.

A Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) was secured against Hall and brought into force on Wednesday September 23.

This placed restrictions on him, including prohibiting the use of the Metro service, enforcing various exclusion zones and preventing Hall from approaching members of the public to purchase alcohol.

The order provided police with additional powers to intervene proactively, and failure to comply with the restrictions resulted in the arrest of Hall on two occasions.

Hall, who is originally from Sunderland and currently of no fixed abode, appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Friday October 10 charged with two breaches of a CBO, as well as 16 counts of shoplifting, two counts of failure to comply with a Community Protection Notice, one count of common assault and one section five public order offence.

He was sentenced to 40 weeks in prison.

Chief Inspector Phil Baker, of Northumbria Police, said: "This result is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when police and partners work together towards a common goal.

“Hall’s behaviour was having a significant impact on our communities and transport network.

"Through effective information sharing and collaboration, we were able to secure measures that helped bring the matter before the courts and ultimately achieve a positive outcome for everyone who uses our public transport system.

“We understand the negative impact anti-social behaviour can have on our community. That’s why it is important we continue to work with partners to bring this behaviour to a stop and ensure our Force area remains and safe place to live, work and visit.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, added: “I am pleased to see that an individual who has been committing disgusting and disruptive behaviour on our public transport has been brought to justice.

“He has caused really unpleasant experiences for fellow passengers and at the same time has created more work for staff across our buses and trains.

“His behaviours really have been totally unacceptable - nobody should have to tolerate or clean up after things like this, and thanks to the efforts of the Safer Transport Northumbria Partnership – no one will have to tolerate these behaviours anymore.

“It’s a great example of our joined-up approach and problem solving to make our transport network safer, stronger and more welcoming for all.”

Anyone who wishes to report any information relating to anti-social behaviour should contact Northumbria Police on social media or via the ‘report it’ form on their website.

You can also call 101.