Trainyob facingjail

Demanded free taxi during violent outburst

A yob who sang sectarian songs on a train journey to Lanarkshire from Glasgow is facing a jail term.

Nathan Bell (22) had also attacked a station employee.

He had admitted charges which included threatening behaviour aggravated by religious prejudice.

A Hamilton yob who sang sectarian songs and demanded that Scotrail get him a taxi home is facing a jail term.

Nathan Bell, who was living in homeless accommodation in Ferniegair at the time, also attacked a Motherwell station employee after the train arrived there on June 1 last year.

Fiscal depute Fiona Kirkby told Hamilton Sheriff Court last Thursday that Bell approached ticket examiner Mary Patrick shortly after the train left Glasgow Central around noon.

He began to complain that Scotrail should pay for his taxi journey home following an earlier disruption service.

Ms Patrick told him that was not her responsibility but he continued to shout aggressively at her, insisting he get a taxi paid for by Scotrail.

Bell also began walking up and down the carriage singing sectarian songs but was asked to stop as it was disturbing other passengers.

When the train arrived at Motherwell Ms Patrick went to the station supervisor while Bell continued to demand a taxi.

Bell also said to another witness: “See you outside now, one on one.”

He headbutted and kicked the station supervisor’s office door then shouted: ‘What are you staring at?’

Bell tried to gain entry to the supervisor’s office, of the rail repeatedly kicked the office door and continued to demand a taxi.

When Ms Patrick tried to explain he was not eligible for a taxi as he was not affected by the disruption, he stated he wanted the same treatment as others and wanted a taxi.

The accused approached station employee Daniel Gallagher and punched him on the head, causing his glasses to fall off, and swore at him.

Bell left the station but was detained by police officers who could see he was clearly intoxicated.

He was taken to Wishaw General Hospital for assessment.

Defence agent Stephen Macbride told Sheriff Allan Mckay his client was living in homeless accommodation at the time as he had fallen out with his child’s mother.

The lawyer said Bell had been living an “aimless existence” on alcohol and valium. While this helped to explain Bell’s situation, he said, it did not excuse his behaviour.

Mr Macbride also pointed out his client was working for a recycling company and earning £300 per week.

There were no outstanding charges and Bell was carrying out a 75hour unpaid work order, 40 hours of which had been completed.

His previous convictions, the solicitor said, included a similar offence in 2013.

While Bell, now of Laighmuir Street, Uddingston, had been going through “a particularly bad time” that was no consolation for those who had to experience his behaviour, Mr Macbride said.

Bell had admitted two charges of threatening and abusive behaviour, one of which was aggravated by religious prejudice, and a charge of assault.

His not guilty plea to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner at Church Street, Larkhall, on June 3 last year was accepted by the Crown.

Sheriff Mckay told Bell that a custodial term was at the forefront of his mind but deferred sentence until May 17 for reports and continued bail meantime.