Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Partly sunnyNews
| 
Submit Comments
Watch video (1 clips)
KATHLEEN Jennings
advertisement
I’m so relieved my court nightmare is over
5/ 9/2007
A TOP Oldham student who feared her career hopes would be shattered after she was prosecuted for putting her feet on a train seat has walked free from court.
Kathleen Jennings, of Derker, wept and hugged her parents in court as magistrates cleared her of any penalty. She was not even ordered to pay costs.
The 19-year-old, a cub scout leader who works with disabled children, was hauled before Chester magistrates after she was charged with 'wilfully interfering with the comfort or convenience' of other rail passengers.
Before the hearing she told how she had been reduced to tears as she was grilled by an enforcement officer from travel firm Merseyrail after putting her feet up 'for 10 seconds'.
The company has a zero policy stance on the matter and has already prosecuted 250 people since February.
Kathleen - who faced a fine and prosecution costs of up to £150 on top of substantial solicitor's fees - pleaded guilty to the charge. But magistrates threw it out and branded the policy "draconian".
Christine Adams, chairman of the bench, said: "The bench is united in feeling that, while this is contrary to a bye-law, Merseyrail should have a less draconian method of dealing with matters of this nature. A fixed penalty system may be more appropriate."
After leaving court, Kathleen said: "I am relieved. It has been very distressing. I thought that the magistrates were not going to give me an absolute discharge. I thought the worst.
"This has been a very difficult time for me and putting me through this has caused me great distress. I regretted what I did but would not have minded an on-the-spot fine."
Kathleen, who is a maths student at Manchester University, feared a criminal record would have an impact on her hopes of a teaching career.
She was approached by the Merseyrail official as she sat next to her boyfriend, Mark, just before they reached Chester station. "I put my feet on the seat in front of me - just the edge of my flip-flops," she said.
"A man in uniform came up to me and said 'Are you comfortable?' I apologised and moved my feet back to the floor. Then he said that he wanted to see me when I got off the train.
"I got off at Chester and he ushered me over to the side of the platform and cautioned me."
The officer recorded a raft of personal details including her description, phone number and even what she was wearing, and she then signed the document.
Merseyrail is the only rail company to prosecute passengers for putting their feet on seats. A company spokesman revealed that up to 600 more passengers face court on the same charge in the coming months - and rejected the magistrates' criticism.
"We do not regard our campaign as draconian," she said. "Doing nothing is not an option for us. We are responding to the demands of passengers who don't want to sit on a seat covered in mud or dirt and the campaign has received widespread messages of support from passengers throughout the country."
Click on the video link to see Channel M's report.
DO YOU think Kathleen was harshly treated? Click on 'Submit your comments', e-mail oldhamadvertiser@menwn.co.uk and vote in our online polll above to let us know your views.
Most recent 2 of 10 user comments
11/09/2007 at 19:04
Got an opinion you want to share?Do you support council workers who have gone on strike over a below-inflation pay offer?
| Card | BT Fee |
| Capital One BT Platinum Card | 3.0% |
| Virgin Credit Card | 2.98% |
| Capital One Platinum | 3.0% |
| Barclaycard Platinum 'As on TV' | 2.9% |
| Barclaycard OnePulse For London | 2.9% |
| Company | Typical APR |
| FirstPlus Exclusive Rate | 6.6% |
| Moneyback Bank | 7.6% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 7.7% |
| Halifax (Semi-exclusive) | 7.7% |
| Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) | 7.7% |
| Barclaycard Personal Loan | 7.8% |
| Barclays | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICESAVE Easy Access Account |
6.30% |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
6.16% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE internet saver |
5.50% |
12/09/2007 at 17:21