'Audacious' thug filmed violently attacking man for bag at busy train station

An innocent man was seen on camera being punched in the face by a violent thug who attempted to rob him inside of a railway station.

Lance Hughes, who was on probation at the time of the attack, followed the victim up a flight of stairs towards the ticket machine at Chester Road Railway Station in August last year.

Before going to grab the bag that the 60-year-old man was wearing on his shoulder, Hughes made an attempt to interact with him before then dragging him away as he wrestled with the bag in his grasp.

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Disturbing CCTVfootage has been released which captured the intense moment Hughes is holding the man in a headlock and brutally punching him in the face. The footage also shows two bystanders watching in complete horror.

Luckily the victim managed to keep a hold of his belongings, leaving Hughes empty-handed when he fled the station soon after. Hughes was later identified by the police after failing to disguise himself from the CCTV cameras at the scene when he covered himself with his coat over his head.

It was uncovered by the British Transport Police that he had only just been released from prison and was under probation. After his appointment at the probation office, police waited outside, where he was caught despite making an attempt to run away.

According to officers, Hughes showed no sign of remorse for his actions, and no apology or explanation was issued during his police interview. On August 8, Hughes pleaded guilty to an attempted robbery and was sentenced to four years and four months. In addition to this, he was ordered to pay a court surcharge of £228 at Birmingham Crown Court.

BTP Detective Constable Genna Chambers said: "In attempting to rob someone in full view of CCTV cameras while on probation, Hughes acted with a shocking degree of audacity and stupidity, so I'm extremely pleased with the result in this case. In the end, all Hughes benefitted from his attempt was an extended stay in prison.

"I hope that it provides him ample opportunity to think on his actions and serves as a warning to anyone who thinks about robbing others on the railway network."