Thug jailed for spitting at London Tube staff at Embankment station

Richard Macken, jailed for spitting at Tube staff
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A thug who spat at Tube staff during a violent and abusive tirade at Embankment station has been handed an eight-week jail sentence.

Richard Macken, 27, made an abusive gesture towards staff members after shoving his way through the ticket barrier, and made a series of threats as he tried to start a fight.

He spat at London Underground workers twice - missing both times - and threw Tube maps around the station before fleeing, on March 7 this year.

British Transport Police officers identified the culprit from drops of saliva which were collected from the control room window, Westminster magistrates court heard.

After being tracked down and arrested, Macken was charged with common assault and admitted the offence at a hearing last month when magistrates sentenced him to eight weeks in prison.

“Macken’s behaviour was intimidating and chaotic, he tried hard to spit at staff in the middle of a pandemic, threatened them and caused a mess in the station,” said PC Steve Russell of the London Underground Staff Assaults team said.

“They were just trying to do their jobs in what was and still is a difficult time.

“Thankfully, their quick thinking ensured they used a spit kit to collect key evidence which helped identify Macken. These kits are excellent in tracking offenders who try wielding their spit as a weapon to create fear and concern.”

Macken, of no fixed address, was handed a prison term after the court heard he has a history of ignoring court orders and a catalogue of previous offences.

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