Couple Targeted in Unprovoked Drunken Assault at Birmingham Station

Two intoxicated women who shoved a man onto live railway tracks and left his girlfriend with broken teeth during a violent attack at Birmingham New Street Station have avoided immediate custody.

Morgan Cox and Ellouise Parke, both 23, approached the couple on a station platform on April 11 last year and asked to share a drink. After consuming it all, an argument broke out. When the couple tried to leave, the two women followed and launched a sustained assault.

Birmingham Magistrates’ Court heard that the violence unfolded at around 9.30pm as the victims made their way to the platform. Prosecutor Owen Beale said the defendants had been drinking heavily before attacking the woman near an escalator, punching and kicking her and leaving her with a bloodied nose and broken teeth. The pair then turned on her partner, pushing him off the platform onto the live railway line, where he narrowly avoided serious injury by managing to climb back up.

Prosecutor Owen Beale said:

"It was about 9.30pm that night when they made their way down to the platform. There, they found the two defendants who had been drinking heavily. The defendants ran up behind and attacked (the woman) by the escalator. The two of them punched and kicked her. She had a bloodied nose and broken teeth. They then turned their attention to (her partner). He was pushed off the platform on to the railway which was live. Fortunately, he managed to make his way back onto the platform without injury."

The court was told the attack continued until station staff intervened. The man was left with a gash to his head, bruising and a cut to his lower back. He later told the court he believed he could have died and said the incident had left him anxious around railway platforms and fearful of train stations.

His partner has continued to suffer complications from her dental injuries and described the lasting emotional toll in a victim impact statement.

In a statement she said:

"I can no longer smile. It has deeply affected my self-esteem and confidence. I now cover my mouth when I speak out of shame and embarrassment. Other people notice. I continue to struggle emotionally and suffer flashbacks, particularly when I pass through the location of the assault."

Both Cox, from Shard End, and Parke, from Sheldon, admitted two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. District Judge Michelle Smith described the incident as among the most serious offences the magistrates’ court could deal with and considered sending the case to the Crown Court, where tougher sentences could have been imposed.

Judge Smith said:

"This is one of the most serious ABHs (Actual bodily harm) this court will have seen and will be able to deal with. It was a group attack which was sustained and unprovoked at a train station, causing significant injuries and long-lasting impact on your victims."

However, she ultimately decided to retain the case, citing the defendants’ early guilty pleas and lack of previous convictions, as well as steps taken since to address their alcohol use. Defence solicitor Shabeer Qureshi told the court both women were in education, had reduced their drinking and were supported by their families.

Shabeer Qureshi said:

"This has been a real wake-up call. This incident has had a positive effect on both of them to move forward and ensure this doesn't happen again. They have attended with their mothers. They have the full support of their families who are shocked at what's happened."

Both women received 12-month prison sentences suspended for 18 months, along with rehabilitation activity requirements and drug testing. They were also placed on Intensive Supervision Court orders, involving regular probation meetings and monthly judicial reviews, and ordered to pay £100 compensation to each victim.

ImageL British Transport Police