Teenage ‘influencer’ is charged over disturbing ‘BDSM-style’ stunt on a packed Sydney train
A teen has been charged after performing a bizarre stunt in which he appeared to have had himself suspended by zip-ties and cellophane tape to the roof of public transport.
The 19-year-old who goes by ‘Joshua Cherub’ on his socials was charged after shocked commuters allegedly found him with taped feet and hands hanging shirtless from the overhead railings of a Sydney Train carriage on September 28.
Passengers were left stunned and confused by the spectacle, while the teenager’s friends filmed the episode to eventually upload it to social media, which links to a page where the teenager is selling merchandise.
NSW Police said the stunt was no laughing matter.
Cherub has since been arrested and charged on Friday and will front court in November.
The video was later posted with the caption: ‘Performance art number six’.
Cherub tagged NSW Police in the video.
He is charged with one count of refusing to comply with police.
Joshua Cherub, 19, has been charged after a ‘performance art stunt’ he participated in on Sydney’s train network on September 28
The charge refers to NSW Police officers who allegedly earlier witnessed the teen ‘seated on a chair bound with tape’ and told him to leave the train at Town Hall station.
He then later allegedly performed the roof stunt.
‘Due to safety concerns, police began to disperse the group,’ a spokesperson said.
‘The man was issued a move-on direction, which he did not comply with.’
Officers have also warned any potential copycats to stop their ‘anti-social behaviour’ on public transport.
‘It is not only illegal but is also extremely dangerous and reckless,’ the statement continued.
Anyone else who participates in such an action will be subject to immediate persecution, police warned.
Cherub has done several other stunts including taping himself to a post covered with paint and strapping himself to a chair near light rail tracks. They have all been posted to social media.
NSW Police have warned any copycats to avoid repeating Cherub’s actions unless they want to also be charged
Cherub was charged with refusing to comply with police when they requested he leave the train at Town Hall
Cherub is selling merchandise (above) off the back of his ‘performance art’
Transport Minister John Graham said his actions were dangerous.
‘It may look like harmless fun, but stunts like this are dangerous on a moving vehicle or a platform,’ Mr Graham said.
‘If being on the screen is the aim, people should know the Rail Operations Centre has CCTV (monitoring) the network 24/7.’
Cherub posted the video on TikTok and, despite the trouble he was in, the teen received mostly positive feedback.
‘What a creative art installation,’ one said.
‘This is so beautiful and meaningful you have truly inspired me,’ another claimed.
‘I wanna be you when I grow up,’ a third said.
