A PASSENGER who threatened to blow up everyone on a packed train, which was evacuated at Newport, has been jailed.

Charles Crisp, aged 54, of Whitehart Lane, Alnwick, Northumberland, was sentenced at Newport Crown Court for communicating false information with intent.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

The court heard that Crisp was travelling on a train from Swansea to Manchester on April 29, 2014, when a male passenger got on at Cardiff Central Station and sat next to the defendant.

John Lloyd, prosecuting, said the passenger initially thought Crisp was talking on the phone but then realised he was talking to himself.

He said: “During the course of that conversation he turned his head and in a controlled voice said ‘I’ve got a bomb and I’m going to blow every one up’. He was very anxious as the defendant had a hessian carrier bag.

“He was afraid of responding right away and wrote a note to the ticket conductor.”

The conductor contacted the controller and the train was stopped at Newport railway station, where it was evacuated by police.

Mr Lloyd said the train was delayed by two hours and at costs of under £4,000. In a police interview Crisp said he had been drinking and was suffering with depression.

Claire Pickthall, defending, said: “It is abundantly clear from all documents presented to the court that Mr Crisp is a man who has suffered mental ill health for some time. On the 29th of April at the time he was more acute than he has been for years.

“He said he did not utter the words and has no recollection of what he said - he was very distressed and in an ill state when on the train. Certainly his actions were not intentional to the consequences that occurred on that day.”

Ms Pickthall told the court that Crisp has been receiving treatment in Northumberland where he has moved to be closer to his family.

The court heard that Crisp has previous convictions of battery, a public order offence, and possession of cannabis.

Judge Tom Crowther QC said: “The suggestion is that your risk of re-offending is low, however anyone who makes a bomb threat should expect to go to prison.

“The general populous has a right to be concerned particularly when someone makes a bomb threat on a packed train. This is so serious only a custodial sentence can be imposed.”

Crisp was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.

Chief inspector Sandra England, of British Transport Police (BTP), said: “Bomb hoaxes are not something we take lightly. Fortunately, BTP has a tried and tested system in place for dealing with them so as to cause minimum disruption while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

“Crisp’s actions raised genuine concern for the safety of the public and wasted valuable police time, diverting much-needed resources from other duties. Furthermore, he caused significant delays for passengers, while his actions also had a financial impact on the train operator.”