Train Bomb Hoaxer Jailed

21 January 2015, 18:10 | Updated: 21 January 2015, 18:17

A man who caused a bomb hoax on a packed commuter train at London Bridge Station's been jailed for 16 months.

Fve hundred rush-hour trains ended up being delayed or cancelled as a result of the hoax on Thursday 11 September 2014.

Shiraj Niranjan Jayasuriya from White City pulled the train's emergency levers as the train came into London Bridge. His actions caused widespread disruption to the station and to thousands of rail passengers.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard Jayasuriya had been abusive to other passengers before he pulled the levers at approximately 6.20pm.

He was later abusive to a member of rail staff who tried to reset the alarms in order to move the train, saying there were "bombs everywhere."

After an exchange with BTP officers in which Jayasuriya said he had a bomb, he was arrested by armed police. He pleaded guilty to making a bomb hoax.

In custody, Jayasuriya told officers he wanted "London destroyed."

Chief Superintendent Paul Brogden, B Division Commander, said: "We take all threats seriously and this sentencing shows that we will prosecute people who threaten our transport network.

"There were widespread disruptions to the station and to thousands of passengers on the day and I welcome the sentence handed down."