A DRUNK passenger who became violent towards a police officer and a tube worker after refusing to buy a train ticket has been given a suspended sentence.

Derek Francis Acton, of Lordship Road, Northolt, kicked a train supervisor in the thigh and pushed a British Transport Police officer when they tried to restrain him.

The unemployed 37-year-old pushed his way through the gates to the lifts at Goodge Street station on February 27 this year and following the assault, Acton was arrested and charged with common assault, assaulting a police officer and threatening behaviour.

Acton pleaded guilty to assault at Westminster Magistrates' Court and he was sentenced to 12 weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months.
He was also given a 12-month supervision order, ordered to attend an alcohol treatment programme for six months and told to pay £100 compensation to each of the victims.

Aidan Harris, London Underground’s Workplace Violence Unit Manager, said: "Everyone needs a valid ticket to travel on our network and Acton clearly did not. His assaults towards both our member of staff and the police officer were unacceptable and it’s not the sort of behaviour we will tolerate."

British Transport Police Inspector Kate Shaw, of the Workplace Violence Unit, said:  "There is absolutely no justification for Acton’s aggressive behaviour. Tube staff have the right to go to work without the fear of abuse or violence and wherever possible we will build a case against offenders and see them have their day in court."

At Court, Acton pleaded guilty to all three charges. For each of the assault charges he was sentenced to 12 weeks in jail, with the sentences suspended for 12 months. He was made the subject of a supervision order for the whole of the 12 months and ordered to attend non-residential alcohol treatment for six months.

He was also ordered to pay compensation of £100 to each of his victims. No separate penalty was imposed for the threatening behaviour.