Man sentenced to jail for threatening TTC employee

A man has been handed a 63-day jail sentence for threatening a TTC streetcar driver.

On October 14, a male boarded a 501 Queen streetcar.  The male began to curse loudly, and uttered sexual references to female customers.  The streetcar Operator asked the male to stop, at which time, the suspect broke a beer bottle, and threatened to kill the streetcar driver with the broken bottle.

The male left the streetcar. However, he then ran up to the streetcar and tried to re-enter.  The driver kept the streetcar doors closed for the protection of his passengers and himself.  The suspect then proceeded to tear off the wiper blades.

Toronto Police Services officers from 22 Division attended, and placed the man under arrest.

On October 17, David Swan, 37, pleaded guilty to numerous charges including assault, and was sentenced to 63 days in jail and six months probation, and cannot have any contact with the TTC driver.

On average, two TTC employees are assaulted every day, ranging from punching, slapping and spitting, to threats of physical harm or death. The TTC’s Court Advocates work with Crown Attorneys to secure the stiffest penalties possible for those convicted of assaulting TTC employees, and continue to seek limits on the use of public transit in Toronto for those convicted of these crimes.