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Railway push smoker found guilty Smoker jailed after railway push
(19 minutes later)
A man who pushed a woman on to a live railway track after a row about him smoking has been found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm. A man who pushed a woman on to a live railway track after a row about him smoking has been sentenced to four years in prison.
Ionel Rapisca, 33, shoved Linda Buchanan on to tracks at Farningham Road station, Kent, in August 2008. Ionel Rapisca, 33, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm by shoving Linda Buchanan off the platform at Farningham Road, Kent, in August 2008.
The court heard Ms Buchanan, 59, took two steps backwards before landing close to a 750-volt live rail. The court heard Miss Buchanan, 59, landed close to a 750-volt live rail.
Mr Rapisca, of Joyce Green Lane, Dartford, is due to be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court later. The judge told Mr Rapisca, of Joyce Green Lane, Dartford, it was a case of "rail rage".
Rapisca, of Joyce Green Lane, Dartford, was cleared of causing grievous bodily harm with intent but convicted of an alternative charge of causing grievous bodily harm following more than three hours of deliberation by the jury. Rapisca was cleared of causing grievous bodily harm with intent but convicted of an alternative charge of causing grievous bodily harm following more than three hours of deliberation by the jury.
'Obscene noise''Obscene noise'
The judge told Rapisca he faced an "immediate and substantial" prison sentence. During the trial the court heard that senior management consultant Miss Buchanan warned Rapisca not to smoke at the station, telling him: "I don't like the smell of cancer."
Senior management consultant Miss Buchanan warned Rapisca not to smoke at the station, telling him: "I don't like the smell of cancer."
The following day, on 6 August 2008, Miss Buchanan encountered the carpenter again as she waited for the 0712 BST service.The following day, on 6 August 2008, Miss Buchanan encountered the carpenter again as she waited for the 0712 BST service.
The trial at Maidstone Crown Court heard that Rapisca made an "obscene noise" with his mouth before shoving her on to the track with both hands.The trial at Maidstone Crown Court heard that Rapisca made an "obscene noise" with his mouth before shoving her on to the track with both hands.
The attack was captured on CCTV.
I remain incredibly shocked how this resulted in such an unprovoked attack of violence. Linda Buchanan, victim
Miss Buchanan suffered a fractured wrist in the attack, severe bruising to her thigh, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder.Miss Buchanan suffered a fractured wrist in the attack, severe bruising to her thigh, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder.
The victim told the court she thought Rapisca was going to jump on to the tracks to "finish me off" but instead he dragged her on to the platform.The victim told the court she thought Rapisca was going to jump on to the tracks to "finish me off" but instead he dragged her on to the platform.
Rapisca's brother-in-law, who was also at the station, retrieved her mobile phone before both men fled.Rapisca's brother-in-law, who was also at the station, retrieved her mobile phone before both men fled.
'Profoundly traumatised'
In a statement, Miss Buchanan said: "I am delighted with the result of the court case today and glad to have closure after 18 months.
"My intention was only ever to politely explain to Mr Rapisca that it is against the law to smoke at this station and I remain incredibly shocked how this resulted in such an unprovoked attack of violence."
She added: "This had a major impact on my life and I now look forward to moving on to the next chapter."
Following the conviction, Det Ch Insp Gareth Williams of British Transport Police said: "This was an appalling act of violence on a woman who was simply intending to catch an early morning commuter train to London.
"As a result of the unprovoked attack, she suffered a range of physical injuries and the incident has left her profoundly traumatised to this day.
"Miss Buchanan was extremely lucky that she wasn't more seriously injured as she fell near to a rail carrying 750 volts of electricity and the arrival of her train was imminent."