West Ham thug jailed for station threat

A knife-wielding thug who threatened a man at Canning Town Tube station has been jailed for 27 months after a witness described him chase his victim down the platform with the eight-inch blade in his hand.

Viet Hoang, 20, of Valerian Way, West Ham, was convicted at Inner London Crown Court, despite his denial, of possession of an offensive weapon.

The court heard how Hoang’s victim, a Newham man, also aged 20, was sat on a bench on the Jubilee line platform at about 8.30am on January 10 when he became involved in a row with the accused.

Hoang threatened to kill him, pulling a large knife from his trousers and trying to corner him on the platform. The victim managed to throw his belongings at Hoang and escape up to the booking hall as Hoang chased him with the knife.

The victim sought refuge with station staff who held the Jubilee line train at the station and called British Transport Police. Officers attended and arrested Hoang.

He was immediately searched and although the knife was not found a member of the public told the court he witnessed the chase with the accused holding it.

BTP Det Sgt Fin Egan said: “Although these types of incidents are very rare on the Tube, Hoang’s behaviour must have been very frightening and intimidating for the victim.”

He thanked the member of public for coming forward and providing “excellent evidence which helped secure a conviction.”

Steve Burton, Director of Community Safety, Enforcement and Policing at TfL, said: “We are extremely pleased to see that Mr. Hoang has received a sentence that reflects the severity of his actions.”