[A] 28-year-old man who violently grabbed a Travel Safe officer as she attempted to stop him assaulting another woman has been fined a total of £2,156.
Shaun Bell, of Railbank Drive, Workington, Cumbria was found guilty of two counts of assault at Workington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 17 October, after an incident at Carlisle railway station.
The court heard how at around 8.45pm on Saturday 13 May this year, the Travel Safe officer approached Bell after the woman he was travelling with became distressed.
The pair, who were shouting and screaming, were warned about their behaviour before Bell became aggressive towards the woman who he pushed and grabbed. He was later seen to punch the same woman hard in the back.
Witnessing the assault, the female Travel Safe officer intervened, fearing for the woman’s safety.
At this, Bell became abusive and grabbed the Travel Safe officer hard by the wrist.
He was subdued by her colleagues before being arrested for assault and being drunk and disorderly.
Investigating officer PC Stuart Bingham said: “Violence or abusive behaviour towards rail staff or any member of the public will not be tolerated on the railway.
“The Travel Safe officer was simply doing her job and intervened out of concern for the victim when she was verbally abused and grabbed by Bell.
“The substantial fine should go some way to reminding Bell and others that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable and to keep in mind that if you’re out drinking and expecting to catch the train home – don’t overdo it. Drinking excessively can have consequences, as I’m sure Bell now realises.”
