A father and daughter were arrested on a charge of assault after being accused of beating up a train passenger for opening an unlocked toilet door while she was inside, according to police in the United Kingdom.
Now, 58-year-old Michael Friel of Liverpool, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and was sentenced to two years in prison.
34-year-old Hayley Friel was found guilty inflicting grievous bodily harm, and she was sentenced to two years and four months in prison in connection with the attack against the 53-year-old victim.
The Chester Crown Court heard how the 53-year-old victim had traveled from Crewe to Liverpool, along with some friends for a night out.
Later that night, the victim and his friends took the train from the Liverpool Lime Street Station to Birmingham New Street, to go back home.
Michael Friel and Hayley Friel were also on that train. As the train set off, Hayley Friel went into the toilet.
She failed to lock the bathroom from the inside and a fellow passenger pressed the button, which opened the electronic door.
Her father became angry. In order to calm the situation, the victim confessed to pressing the button, even though another passenger was responsible.
The father and daughter then proceeded to attack the victim, despite other passengers trying to restrain the two of them. As the train pulled into Runcorn station, the train doors opened and the victim fell onto the platform unconscious.
Two police officers at the station witnessed the attack and they immediately arrested the defendants. The victim was taken to a hospital, where he regained consciousness and was discharged.
However, two days later, he fell unconscious at home and was eventually transferred to North Staffs Hospital, where an emergency operation was carried out.
The victim was left with permanent injuries as a result of the attack.
