Yob who threw firework at Bescot rail station is sentenced

A man who threw a firework towards a railway station platform filled with 200 football fans after a Walsall FC match as a "practical joke" has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Jaydon Talbot, of Bloxwich, threw the firework onto a platform at Bescot railway station after a match between Walsall and Chesterfield.

Mrs Rachael Smith, prosecuting, told Walsall Magistrates Court yesterday that a police officer who was monitoring the crowd heard a loud bang and saw sparks showering into the air.

"There was a large cloud of smoke," she said. The court heard that other officers on the platform saw Talbot running away when the smoke cleared. Police followed him in a vehicle and officers gave chase on foot.

Talbot, aged 21, was found sweating and out of breath, hiding in a garden.

Mrs Smith said Talbot's car keys were found on him and officers discovered commercial fireworks inside the vehicle parked nearby.

When arrested and interviewed, Talbot told police he had driven to the train station to meet friends who had been to the football match at Banks's Stadium.

"He said he intended to set the firework off as a practical joke," Mrs Smith added. She said he had launched the firework forwards in the direction of his friends but there were other people stood nearby. Luckily, no-one was injured, she said.

Talbot, of Victoria Avenue, admitted endangering the safety of a person conveyed by railway on April 7. In mitigation, Mr Khalid Waheed said: "He accepts his behaviour was extremely irresponsible and reckless."

Talbot was handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He must also carry out 150 hours unpaid work and pay £85 costs.

By Lisa O'Brien