First tram Asbo (From Croydon Guardian)

First tram Asbo

2:28pm Thursday 18th May 2006 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

Croydon's first tram Asbo has been handed to a man who racially abused staff on the network.

Yannis John Kleovoulo, 35, from Selsdon, received the antisocial behaviour order which prevents him from travelling on any Croydon tram for three years when he appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court last Friday.

He was also jailed for 16 months for common assault, racially aggravated threatening behaviour and two counts of racially aggravated assault.

The court heard on February 13 Kleovoulo reacted aggressively when a member of tram security staff asked him to put his cigarette out.

Kleovoulo head-butted the man and when security guards attempted to restrain him, he head-butted him again.

Police said a member of the public tried to intervene, causing Kleovoulo to unleash a torrent of racial abuse.

He then threatened to kill a female police officer after being handcuffed.

Inspector Jack Ioannou from Croydon British Transport Police said: "This is the first time a passenger has been handed an Asbo on the Tramlink and serves as a warning that this type of racially abusive behaviour against staff, or in fact against any other member of the public, will not be tolerated.

"It's really pleasing that the courts have decided to impose not only a custodial sentence, but to also carry through with an Asbo.

"The seriousness of the sentence is reflective of how seriously we take this sort of crime and should send a strong message to passengers that we will not accept abusive behaviour on the Tramlink service."

The tram network carries 22 million passengers every year and has been operating for six years.

Roger Harding, general manager of Tramtrack Croydon, said: "I certainly endorse the comments made by the British Transport Police. It is the first time that a passenger has been given an Asbo on Tramlink and it's indicative of the fact that we will not tolerate any form of abusive behaviour."

Mr Harding said CCTV cameras on board the tram were particularly useful in holding Kleovoulo to account and added that crime on the network was "generally low".

"We believe we experience a much lower number of crimes than on other forms of public transport. We are in a position to supervise as we have security guards and the benefit of CCTV."

He added: "We do our upmost to keep our trams far from any kind of intimidating behaviour and if it does happen we will follow it up in the strongest possible of terms."