Latest news with #Swindon
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Revealed: Vile train passenger who threatened women saying 'I'll kill you' is former teen football star about to become father for first time
A train passenger allegedly caught on film threatening and abusing two young women on a train is a former teen football star. Electrician Elijah Chilekwa, 27, was filmed allegedly shouting abuse at the women, who he did not know, after they reportedly declined to say who they found most attractive out of himself and the two friends he was travelling with. Chilekwa, who previously played for Wales U19s football team with one international goal to his name, is said to have told the women: 'I'll kill you. I'll kill your boyfriend. I'll follow you. I'll follow you to your house. I'll follow you to your boyfriend's house, I'll kill your boyfriend. Whatever bro.' He was reportedly then seen further harassing the women before allegedly throwing chewing gum at a third, leaving her in tears. The awful clip, which was filmed earlier this month on a train from Cardiff to Swindon, went viral on social media. Chilekwa, who is about to become a father with his girlfriend of eight years, has since been arrested by the British Transport Police. Despite his behaviour, Chilekwa's girlfriend has claimed he was simply 'drunk' and 'his intention wasn't to threaten them.' During the outburst, filmed by one of the victims, two friends travelling with Elijah were heard attempting to calm the situation, telling him: 'What are you doing bruv?' The former Wales footballer is now an electrician and was filmed on the train earlier this month Chilekwa went on to shout: 'If those two girls want to move, you can go. I'm not going to f***ing stop you from going.' As his friends tell him he is 'embarrassing' them, he continues: 'I ain't embarrassing no-one. You two move then.' His friends then attempt to persuade Elijah to move to another seat away from the women, before telling him to 'shut up' to no avail. One of his friends said: 'I can't believe what you're doing.' But speaking to MailOnline, Chilekwa's girlfriend of eight years Niamh James, 23, who is seven months pregnant, claimed her partner later apologised. Ms James said: 'What he said was disgusting and both he and I have spoken to the girls to apologise. 'His intention was not to threaten them, he was just drunk and being a fool. It's out of character. He's sorry and it will be dealt with by the courts.' She added Chilekwa has suffered a huge backlash since the video was put on social media, including racist and homophobic abuse. She said: 'Someone said [to me] I can't believe you're having a baby with him. 'He's had racist messages, people saying black lives matter, some of the things are worse than what Elijah said. 'There were even homophobic comments and he's not gay.' She added: 'This is being dealt with by the BTP. Due to this we can't discuss any further.' The firm where Chilekwa works, Brighter Green Engineering Ltd, has been made aware of the incident, MailOnline understands, with his company said to be 'supportive' of the former footballer. As well as previously playing for Wales, Chilekwa played as a right winger at Bristol City before being signed at Worcester City. A BTP spokesperson previously told MailOnline: 'There is absolutely no place for violent or intimidating behaviour on the railway network, and we encourage the victim or anyone who witnessed the incident to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 271 of May 18. 'You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.'
The Sun
a day ago
- General
- The Sun
Moment vile passenger tells woman ‘I'll follow you home & kill you' in disturbing rant on train as pals try to stop him
Ethan Singh, News Reporter Published: Invalid Date, SHOCKING footage shows the moment a vile passenger told a woman "I'll follow you home and kill you" during a disturbing rant on a train. The dramatic outburst was caught on camera by two women with the man repeatedly shouting threats as his mates desperately tried to shut him up. 5 5 5 The incident unfolded on a train between Cardiff Central and Swindon on May 18. He is thought to be named 'Elijah' after his friends referred to him by the name multiple times during the confrontation. In the footage, 'Elijah' can be heard screaming: "I'll kill you. I'll kill your boyfriend. I'll follow you. I'll follow you to your house. "I'll follow you to your boyfriend's house, I'll kill your boyfriend. Whatever bro." His pals then try to calm him down saying "what are you doing" and "you're being filmed". Another says "you're embarassing us" as he continued ranting uncontrollably at the pair of scared women. But 'Elijah' kept repeating "I ain't embarassing no one" as he went on with his foul mouthed tirade. Eyewitnesses claim the crazed passenger had earlier demanded a group of women tell him who was the most attractive out of him and his mates. During the verbal scuffle, the unhinged commuter added: "If those two girls want to move, you can go. "I'm not going to f***ing stop you from going." The female passengers then pointed out that they "shouldn't be the ones to move". Moment woman wrestles & fights off railway staff to hold up entire train so late pals can board - leading to her ARREST That's when the uncouth passenger dramatically clutches his hand to his mouth in mock shock. It's also alleged that 'Elijah' chucked dried chewing gum at another woman during the journey, leaving her in tears. Outraged social media users have branded the passenger "cowardly" and "immature" following the shocking outburst. One person said "absolutely appalling behaviour" seen in public. Another added: "He's clearly emotionally mature hopefully his mother sees this and puts him right". A third said: "At least his friends were trying to stop him. Very immature young man." The British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating the confrontation believed to have taken place on the evening of May 18. The BTP told The Sun that the man has not yet been identified and no arrests have been made. A spokeswoman for the force said: "We're aware of a video circulating on social media showing a woman being repeatedly threatened by a man on a train. "There is absolutely no place for violent or intimidating behaviour on the railway network, and we encourage the victim or anyone who witnessed the incident to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 271 of 18 May. "You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111." 5 5
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Vile train passenger is filmed threatening women as he tells them: 'I'll kill you. I'll kill your boyfriend. I'll follow you to your house'
A 'vile' passenger told two young women he would 'kill' them and their boyfriends in a shocking fit of rage on the train. Footage filmed by the victims shows a man called 'Elijah' shout the threats repeatedly while his friends urge him to stop as they travel between Cardiff Central and Swindon. Eye witnesses said the passenger had demanded a group of women tell him who was the most attractive out of him and his friends. He can be seen saying: 'I'll kill you. I'll kill your boyfriend. I'll follow you. I'll follow you to your house. I'll follow you to your boyfriend's house, I'll kill your boyfriend. Whatever bro.' The crazed commuter later adds: 'If those two girls want to move, you can go. I'm not going to f***ing stop you from going.' At one point the female commuters explain they 'shouldn't be the ones to move' to which the uncouth passenger puts his hand to his mouth and exclaims in exaggeration. 'Elijah' allegedly threw dried chewing gum at a third woman during the journey and 'made one cry'. People have since taken to social media to express their disgust, branding the passenger 'cowardly' and 'immature'. One person said 'absolutely appalling behaviour' while another added 'he's clearly emotionally mature hopefully his mother sees this and puts him right'. A third said: 'At least his friends were trying to stop him. Very immature young man.' British Transport Police is investigating the confrontation believed to have taken place on the evening of May 18. A force spokesman said: 'We're aware of a video circulating on social media showing a woman being repeatedly threatened by a man on a train. 'There is absolutely no place for violent or intimidating behaviour on the railway network, and we encourage the victim or anyone who witnessed the incident to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 271 of May 18. 'You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.'
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Devizes Road closure sparks conflicting views in Swindon
The planned three-month closure of a major road in Swindon has drawn mixed reactions from residents and the closure, which will begin in June, Wales & West Utilities will replace ageing gas pipes under the A4289 Devizes Road, one of the key routes in the been issued temporary pavement licences, several businesses on the road have said the closure may revitalise trade, but commuters have raised concerns about the impact it will have on planned road closure, approved by Swindon Borough Council, will continue in phases until the end of September. The section of pipe being replaced is more than 80 years old and has reached the end of its operational Talikowski, vice chair of Old Town Business Association, is among those optimistic about the closure."The pop-up licences give businesses a chance to keep add some extra trading through the works, and to create a really positive atmosphere on Devizes Road this summer," he said."We're also committed to supporting our businesses and making the most of the situation."With safe pedestrian access maintained, and outdoor trading encouraged, we hope residents and visitors alike will continue to support Old Town throughout the summer." Charlotte Phipps, who owns The Flower Pot on Devizes Road, said she had mixed feelings about the project."I'm a bit apprehensive. I'm hoping that the footfall will be great, and I can have a lot more plants outside, but it's a big thing not having cars going past the shop," she added."The footfall of Old Town at the moment is brilliant. Lots of people are out and very positive about all the shops and things to see. The lack of traffic will hopefully bring in more people on foot."Hayley Stapleton, owner of the nearby bar the Tuppenny, said she was "really excited"."Having some outdoor space where we can trade in the summer months is a real positive," she a number of local residents have expressed concerns with one describing the closure as a "big hassle" and another believing that it would "cause more traffic problems" because of the knock-on effect on other works will start from the Croft Road end and gradually progress towards Wood Street.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Highworth golf course new homes plan would be 'catastrophe'
A plan for hundreds of homes on a former golf course has been called a potential "catastrophe" by a campaign Borough Council (SBC) will discuss three options on 4 June for the old Highworth Golf Course; a nature reserve, 400 homes with a reserve or 700 homes with some said officers are recommending the larger homes scheme as it will provide more cash for taxpayers and more affordable against the scheme say surveys show the council-owned land is a haven for wildlife and is used by about 500 people a day. The council has said the 700 homes scheme would leave 46% of the site left as parkland for the public. Any decision from councillors will not be the final one, as officers would then have to carry out pre-application spokesman Rob New said "It would be a catastrophe if this green, open accessible land was built on."Nearly 5,000 residents signed a petition opposing that, and around 500 people use this valued space every day."He claims the council wants to "cash in" by selling part of the site for housing."The site is a haven for nature with over 300 species of flora and fauna having been identified there," added Mr New. Councillor Kevin Small, SBC's cabinet member for finance, said: "It is almost a year since we asked officers to carry out a detailed options appraisal of the former golf course and we've taken our time because this is an important decision on a popular borough-owned asset."He said SBC has consulted with the town council and community to consider the nature reserve Small added that while he understood the 700-home scheme was "unpopular", it was important to make the most of the land due to the authority's "extremely challenging position".The site, which has been owned by different councils since the 1970s, stopped being a golf course in 2019.
