Why was guard ever prosecuted?

THE RMT has slammed the ‘ outrageous’ decision to prosecute a train guard from Runcorn for endangering passenger safety after an 89-year-old woman fell from the platform.

Martin Zee, of Coronation Road, was unanimously cleared of all charges relating to the incident, which occurred at Hamilton Square Station on July 8, 2015.

The case took almost two years to get to trial, with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) widely criticised for bringing the case after investigations by both Merseyrail and the Office of Rail Regulators found no further action needed to be taken against Mr Zee.

The 33-year-old was welcomed with a round of applause from friends, family and colleagues as he exited Liverpool Crown Court following the verdict.

John Tilley, regional secretary for the RMT, said: “RMT welcomes this verdict but condemns the CPS for bringing this outrageous prosecution which the union believes served no public interest whatsoever.

“The prosecution of Martin Zee has caused untold stress to both him and his family and has had a corrosive impact on the entire rail industry.

“No-one should face prosecution for simply doing their job and we expect that lessons have now been learned and that there will be no repeat of the appalling treatment of Martin.”

Martin’s employer Merseyrail has welcomed the verdict and said they are ‘deeply sorry’ about the accident.

“We are both relieved and pleased that Martin has been cleared of the charge against him,” a spokesman said.

“Both our internal investigation and that of the Office Of Rail And Road (ORR), the independent safety regulator, found that there was no case to answer.

“The door closure warning alarm is in place to alert passengers to the danger of closing doors and we rely on passengers heeding that warning.”

A spokesperson for the CPS West Midlands, which handles British Transport Police cases, said: “The decision to charge was made following detailed consideration of the evidence and in accordance with the Code For Crown Prosecutors.”

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “It is our duty as a police force to investigate and present the evidence to the CPS.” ● Train guard Martin Zee, 33, was cleared of endangering passenger safety