UK: Man threatened to ‘curse’ ticket inspector

[John Ashworth]

Man threatened to ‘curse’ conductor

Bedford Today
Published on Tuesday 6 March 2012 14:46

A MAN who threatened a female ticket inspector with a curse at Bedford Railway Station was found guilty on Monday.

Joseph Ebelechukwu, 40, of St Augustines Road, Bedford pleaded not guilty to disorderly behaviour and assault at a hearing at Bedford Magistrates’ Court.

The hearing heard from victim Linda McDonald who was working as a ticket inspector on a train from Luton to Bedford when the incident took place on December 6.

Ms McDonald told the court how she approached Mr Ebelechukwu to check his ticket but it was not valid as it had been bought at a senior citizen’s concessionary rate.

Ms McDonald asked where he had got the ticket from and he told her it was his, before later admitting that he had found it.

The court then heard how Mr Ebelechukwu appeared aggressive as his details were taken, and when Ms McDonald turned her back after she had dealt with him he pushed her causing her to stumble.

A colleague, Glen Barford, witnessed the incident and called British Transport Police, but when the train arrived at Bedford Mr Ebelechukwu would not leave the station and approached Ms McDonald saying he would put a curse on her and if she was on her own it would be a ‘different story.’

During the trial Mr Ebelechukwu took the stand denying the charges, but magistrate Robert Woodward found him guilty.

He said: “I have carefully considered what to do in this case and what concerned me in particular was an attack on public servants doing their duty.”

Mr Ebelechukwu must pay fines and costs of £215.