A violent offender who left a fellow passenger with devastating injuries during a horrific train attack has had his prison sentence significantly increased following an appeal by prosecutors.
Lewis Brown, 31, originally received an eight-year term for the brutal assault that occurred on a Thameslink service travelling between St Neots and Huntingdon. However, the Court of Appeal has now extended his sentence to eleven years after deeming the original punishment unduly lenient.
The Night That Changed Everything
The terrifying incident unfolded on October 1, 2022, when Brown launched an unprovoked attack on another passenger. Witnesses described scenes of sheer terror as Brown subjected his victim to repeated blows and kicks in a sustained assault that lasted several minutes.
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sustained catastrophic injuries including multiple facial fractures and permanent vision damage in one eye. Medical experts confirmed these injuries will affect him for the rest of his life.
Justice Served: Sentence Increased
Following Brown's initial sentencing at Cambridge Crown Court in November 2023, the Attorney General's Office referred the case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. Three senior judges unanimously agreed that the original eight-year term failed to reflect the severity of the crime.
Lord Justice William Davis, delivering the judgment, stated: "This was a sustained and vicious attack which caused truly serious injury. The victim's life has been permanently affected by what happened to him on that train."
Impact on Railway Safety
The case has highlighted ongoing concerns about passenger safety on Britain's railways. British Transport Police have emphasised their zero-tolerance approach to violence on the rail network.
A spokesperson for Thameslink services commented: "The safety and security of our passengers and staff remains our absolute priority. We work closely with British Transport Police to ensure our railways remain a safe environment for everyone."
Brown will now serve at least two-thirds of his new eleven-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole, with an extended licence period of four years following his release.
