A chef punched a security guard to the face for refusing to let him into Cardiff Central train station as it closed for the night. John McEwan, from Dinas Powys, hurled abuse at two station staff and struck one of them at 11.45pm on Saturday, March 12, after becoming convinced they were preventing him from catching a train home.
The 32-year-old had approached the station from Central Square just as security guard Benjamin Dymond and colleague Mr Thomas were shutting the entrance, prosecutor Maddie Steele told Cardiff Magistrates' Court. She said: "One of the guards told him there would be no more trains until the morning. Both gave evidence that the male became aggressive and spoke words to the effect of: 'Get out of my f*****g way.'"
The staff suggested McEwan could get a taxi home or wait for the station to reopen in the morning. Calling them "liars", he insisted there was a train and showed them his phone but the screen only showed a calculator function.
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After failing to force his way past the guards McEwan screamed: "P*****s and p****s. I'll f*****g knock you both out." The court heard he then punched Mr Dymond's face with a clenched fist. The guards restrained McEwan and called police.
Ms Steele added: "After being calmed down by police officers and taken to one side he was spoken to about his version of events. The officers' evidence was that Mr McEwan was drunk and his behaviour volatile. He actively resisted arrest and it took considerable time and effort to get him into the police van. There were no injuries to Mr Dymond but the assault left him feeling quite shaken."
McEwan, of Rhuddlan Way, pleaded guilty to assault. The court heard his record includes a 2020 conviction for assaulting an emergency worker. Representing himself the chef said: "I'd just like to apologise and I regret everything I've done and I don't want it to happen again. If I can do anything like pay any costs or whatever I will do anything I can."
Passing sentence Presiding Justice Shan Clark said: "Mr Dymond and his colleague were doing their job. They were trying to help you. They didn't need your abuse and the assault."
She handed McEwan a 12-month community order, 20 rehab activity days, and a 30-day alcohol abstinence monitoring programme for 30 days. He must pay £100 in compensation to the victim, a £95 victim services surcharge, £85 in prosecution costs, and an £80 fine. The court heard McEwan still has to complete 95 unpaid work hours imposed following a previous offence. You can read more Welsh court stories here.
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