An 18-year-old man is now in prison after he was jailed just one day after he was caught with a large combat knife at a railway station in south London last Monday, 18 December.

Rackeem Thomas, of no fixed abode, was stopped for a ticket check by a revenue inspector as he was travelling through Dartford railway station last Monday.

Thomas failed to provide a travel ticket, but British Transport Police officers became suspicious about his nervous behaviour.

Thomas was caught out when he gave a false name to the officers and was detained while officers prepared to search him. Thomas attempted to flee the scene, but was stopped, and, with the help of rail staff was wrestled to the floor.

Whilst he was on the floor, Thomas attempted to withdraw a concealed Rambo-style knife that he had in his waistband.

The following day, Tuesday, 19 December, Rackeem Thomas pleaded guilty at Medway Magistrates Court to having a pointed or bladed article and received a sentence of six months in jail, as well as being ordered to pay £85 for a forfeiture and destruction order, and a £154 victim surcharge.

Investigating Officer PC Alex Morgan said: “Thomas is clearly a dangerous individual, and I am extremely pleased to see him sentenced to 6 months imprisonment less than 24 hours after officers found him committing the offence.

“It is incredibly rewarding to get a violent individual and horrendous knife off the rail network, and I hope this sends a clear signal to offenders that anyone caught in possession of these dangerous weapons in public will be brought to justice.”