A MAN who punched two train users in the face in a failed bid to rob them has been jailed for three years.

Maslah Mohamud, 26, of Forest Road, Walthamstow, hit a 20-year-old man at Manor Park station and then travelled to Snaresbrook Tube station where he attacked a 28-year-old woman.

In both cases he first demanded they hand over their possessions and punched them when they refused.

The first attack happened at around 10.50pm on Sunday September 12, with the second occuring a short while later.

The woman escaped the station and raised the alarm. Police arrived and arrested Mohamud.

British Transport Police (BTP) detective constable Paul Miller, who investigated the cases, said: “Despite Mohamud being very aggressive and violent, both of his victims managed to keep hold of their belongings and give an accurate description of their attacker.

“While the victims did not suffer serious injuries they were left very shaken by their ordeal.

“While robbery is not common on the rail network, Mohamud is clearly capable of violent attacks and I welcome his three-year jail sentence.”

Steve Burton, director of community safety, enforcement and policing at Transport for London, said: “We are glad that Mr. Mohamud has received such a sentence, which reflects the seriousness of his actions.

“Fortunately, crimes like this are a rare occurrence on the Tube network, with only 13 crimes per million passenger journeys and we will continue to work closely with the BTP to ensure that our passengers remain as safe as possible.”

He was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday (April 11) after pleading guilty to two counts of attempted robbery.

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