A teenager who filmed himself hanging on to the back of moving DLR trains for a YouTube prank told police “that is what we do” when he was caught, a court heard.
Harris Ahmed, 18, waved at passengers and stunned bystanders as he “train surfed” for several stops while clinging to the outside of the carriage.
Filmed by a 16-year-old accomplice, Ahmed is seen hanging on to the back of the moving train as it leaves the station at Shadwell.
In a second effort, Ahmed jumps on to the train and rides on the outside between Poplar and Canning Town.
The six-minute video, posted online under the title ‘London Train Surfing Escape’, was among a series of similar stunts on the DLR network in February and March last year.
“This behaviour is extremely reckless and will not be tolerated”, said TfL’s director of enforcement Steve Burton, in an appeal to catch the culprits.
When arrested, Ahmed told police the stunt was for publicity and excitement and added: “That’s what we do.” He also said he was unaware it was against the law.
The younger boy claimed he “didn’t consider it to be dangerous”, Highbury Corner magistrates court heard.
Both teenagers admitted endangering safety on March 13 last year, while Ahmed also pleaded guilty to the same charge a week later, on March 20.
Magistrate Sharon Ereira told them yesterday: “You have got to understand you’re not just putting your life at risk, but putting others at risk and when you’re putting it on YouTube you’re encouraging other young people which is also putting them at risk.”
Ahmed, from Manor Park, was sentenced to 15 hours at an attendance centre and ordered to pay an £85 court fee.
The 16-year-old boy, who cannot be identified, is already serving a four-month youth referral order for similar offences, and will be sentenced on February 15.
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