Train fare dodger caught on video attacking London Midland ticket inspector is jailed

Elliot Nash swore at one staff member before taking a running kick and lashing out at another

A fare-dodging passenger who launched a violent attack on train staff has been jailed for 15 weeks.

Video was released by British Transport Police of Elliot Nash shouting at a female ticket inspector before kicking and lashing out at her colleague.

The 32-year-old from Northfield, Birmingham, told three members of rail staff to "f*** off" and threatened to knock them out while travelling on a London Midland service in November.

Footage from one ticket officer's body cameras shows Nash repeatedly swearing and taking a running kick at another staff member in the aisle.

He then told the female inspector to “f*** off you slag,” and that she was “lucky she’s a woman”.

Police identified Nash from the footage, arresting him at his home just two hours later.

He was later charged with assault and two public order offences. He pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates' Court.

PC Nicola Mallaber said: "Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Nash had the audacity to deny the offences initially, only changing his plea when the case went to trial.

"As the footage shows, his attitude is completely unacceptable and there was absolutely no need for this to have escalated into violence...all for the sake of a £2.20 fare.

"No member of rail staff should be spoken to in this way or attacked simply for doing their job. We hope this spell behind bars will teach Nash a valuable lesson and make him review his behaviour in the future."

London Midland's head of security and revenue protection, Darren Hanley, said: "No colleague or customer should have to see behaviour like this when travelling by train.

"Fare-dodging, anti-social behaviour and violence will never be tolerated by London Midland.

"In partnership with the British Transport Police and local forces we have made great strides in reducing crime and fare evasion in recent years. Incidents like this just make us more determined to make our railways even safer."

Additional reporting by Press Association