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Smoker jailed after railway push Smoker jailed after railway push
(about 1 hour later)
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. A man who pushed a woman on to a live railway track after a row about him smoking has been jailed for four years.
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.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 Miss Buchanan, 59, landed close to a 750-volt live rail. The court heard Miss Buchanan, 59, landed close to a 750-volt live rail, breaking her wrist.
The judge told Mr Rapisca, of Joyce Green Lane, Dartford, it was a case of "rail rage". Judge Charles Macdonald QC told Mr Rapisca, of Joyce Green Lane, Dartford, it was a case of "rail rage".
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. Rapisca was cleared of causing grievous bodily harm with intent but convicted of an alternative charge of causing grievous bodily harm after more than three hours of deliberation by the jury.
'Obscene noise' My intention was only ever to politely explain to Mr Rapisca that it is against the law to smoke at this station Linda Buchanan
Judge Macdonald said Rapisca would serve half his sentence in prison and the remaining half on licence but would be liable for recall if he reoffends.
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."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."
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.
'Incredibly shocked'
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.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.
This was a very grave crime. You could easily have killed this victim. As it is, her career is over Judge Charles Macdonald QC
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' Miss Buchanan was made redundant in 2008 following a review by her employer, which Judge Charles Macdonald QC linked to the stress disorder she suffered as a result of the fall.
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. Jailing Rapisca, the judge told him: "This was a very grave crime. You could easily have killed this victim.
"As it is, her career is over and she has an enduring psychiatric illness."
Miss Buchanan, who was not in court, said in a statement: "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.""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."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."