Fare-dodger jailed for brutal attack on passenger

A fare-dodger who brutally attacked a passenger who remonstrated with him for barging through a ticket barrier has been jailed for three years and five months.

Rikki Holmes, who was with a friend at the time of the assault at London Bridge station, punched the victim in the face and then continued punching and kicking him in the face when he lay motionless on the floor. The pair then fled.

The man suffered a bleed to the brain, a fractured jaw, a broken nose, a fractured rib and two collapsed lungs in the attack, which happened at about 00:50 BST on 20 August 2023, Inner London Crown Court heard.

Holmes, now 33, was identified by members of the public following a media appeal.

During Holmes's arrest, British Transport Police discovered cannabis, a baton and a pair of nunchucks at his home.

Officers also found several messages on his phone from another person which said Holmes's "picture was everywhere" following the media appeal.

Det Con Christopher Pretty said: "What started out as a minor dispute over Holmes pushing behind the victim through the ticket barrier then descended into serious violence that left the victim requiring a lengthy stay in hospital.

"The psychological impact on him will also remain for a very long time.

"Holmes continued his attack even when the victim was unconscious on the ground and posed no threat to him at all.

"Holmes didn't co-operate at all during police interviews, but the weight of the evidence we gathered against him, combined with our witness and mobile phone enquiries, meant that we were able to prove his guilt."

Holmes, of Spring Lane, South Norwood, was sentenced last Thursday having been found guilty at an earlier hearing of causing grievous bodily harm, as well as possession of cannabis and an offensive weapon.

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