Attack on conductor

A TEENAGER carried out a terrifying attack on a train conductor in Girvan punching his victim’s glasses off his face and threatening to “put a blade to your neck”.

The chilling threats took place on a train at the town’s railway station earlier this year.

Details of the attack, carried out when the accused was just 16, were revealed during a hearing at Ayr Sheriff Court last week.

Procurator fiscal depute Chris Munro said the incident happened on April 22 when the teen, now 17, boarded the train at Girvan station.

The teenager, from Auchinleck, is now due to return to court at a later date, alongside a co-accused, for making threats and carrying a bottle while on bail.

Neither the accused in this case, nor the co-accused in the other matter, can be named because of their age.

Mr Munro told the court: “The witness was a conductor on the train between Givan and Ayr.

“He had refused travel to the accused and co-accused.

“At nine o’clock, the witness noticed the accused on the train and immediately told him he had been refused travel.

“The witness returned towards the back cab of the train, being followed by the accused.

The accused stated: “If I ever see you in the street I’ll put a blade to your neck”. At this time the witness retreated.

“The accused shouted and swore then punched the witness with a clenched fist knocking off his glasses. The witness retreated to the back cab.

“Police were contacted and the area was searched and he was arrested near Asda.

“He was cautioned and charged and made no reply.”

Images from CCTV footage taken on the train were shown in court, showing an empty carriage, the youngsters pursuing the conductor on the train, and both teens kicking a door – though Mr Munro told Sheriff Desmond Leslie that the assault itself had not been captured on the CCTV cameras.

Sheriff Leslie deferred sentence for background reports; the accused will return to court for sentencing at a later date.