Man jailed for ticket inspector attack
A THUG has been jailed after launching a brutal attack on a train revenue officer because he fined him for travelling without a ticket.
Stefan Phillip battered his victim at Birmingham’s Snow Hill Station, leaving him with broken ribs and a 5cm hole in his skull.
Birmingham Crown Court was told Phillip was angry when ticket revenue officer Mohammed Siddique fined him £20 after discovering he hadn’t bought a ticket on February 21 this year.
Five days later, the 29-year-old saw Mr Siddique walking in the concourse of Snow Hill Station as he was finishing his shift.
Phillip ran at him from behind and shoved him with force into an advertising billboard, causing his skull to be exposed with a 5cm gash and cracking two of his ribs.
Phillip, of Navigation Street in the city centre, appeared at Birmingham Crown where he pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and was jailed for 20 months.
CCTV was played showing moment Phillip attacked. the
Philip Brunt, prosecuting, said: “The attack has had a huge effect on Mr Siddique’s life. He says he loved his job before the attack, but has now been left scared to go back to work.
“He has young children and says his six-year-old was scared to go near him after the attack due to his injuries, including black eyes. He has been suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
Mr Gurdeep Garcha, defending, said Phillip was a budding entrepreneur who had recently started a jewellery business in the Jewellery Quarter.
He said: “Mr Phillip wants to publicly apologise to Mr Siddique for his behaviour. He is truly sorry for what has happened. Since the incident, the arrogant behaviour of Mr Phillips has changed. He has grown up. This has greatly affected his family and his girlfriend.
“He is an entrepreneur and has recently set up a business in the Jewellery Quarter. If he is handed a custodial sentence, it will have a big impact on his livelihood.”
Recorder Geoffrey Kelly told Phillip: “Before this incident you essentially had a good character, but this was a very serious attack on a man who was defenceless.
“His injuries have had a great impact on his life both physical and psychological.
“He was a man who was simply carrying out his job and shouldn’t be exposed to this kind of violence. It is so serious that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.”