Six years jail for attack with bottle

Craig Phillips and his co-defendant, Saffron Hand, first met the 17-year-old Asian victims, who were with a group of friends, in Southend on May 1, last year.

Later that day Hand, 22, targeted the youths when she spotted them at Southend Central station, but security staff intervened and broke up an argument before allowing Phillips and Hand to take the next train.

But the drunken couple, formerly of Peartree Close, South Ockendon, decided to get off at the next stop where Phillips, who has a previous conviction for assault, was captured on CCTV arming himself with a beer bottle and practising fighting moves.

When the next train arrived at Westcliff station they sought out the group, Basildon Crown Court was told.

In front of terrified passengers Phillips, 23, struck one victim across the head with the bottle and when it smashed, slashed a second youth across the face, which left a wound needing 24 stitches and has left him a scar to his cheek.

Phillips and Hand were convicted in December of common assault and wounding with intent.

Sentencing Phillips at Basildon Crown Court, Judge Christopher Mitchell told him: "It is clear from CCTV that you in particular, while you were at the railway station, started practising attacking moves and the jury, I am sure, came to the conclusion that you were planning an attack. There is an element of racial hostility.

"It may not have been based on the colour of their skin, but may simply be because they came from a different background.

"I pass a substantial sentence on you because of the serious nature of this offence- in particular the fact these offences were carried out deliberately with an element of planning on a crowded train."

Speaking after the case Det Sgt Steve Cullinane, said: "British Transport Police takes incidents like this seriously and we will do all we can to prevent them."

Hand will be sentenced on Friday, February 2.