A drunk passenger who had a fight on a packed train at Newcastle Central Station after calling a woman "scruffy" has been fined.
Kevin John Crook had a fight with a man on March 19 this year following an argument after boarding a train heading to Middlesbrough. The 51-year-old got involved in the altercation in the presence of children and was subsequently charged with being drunk and disorderly.
Crook, of Sunnyfield, Ormesby, in Teesside, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to the single charge. The court heard the offence was committed shortly before 9pm and was witnessed by a Northern Trains train manager, who was on duty on the Hexham to Middlesbrough train. The manager was nearing the end of her shift and had got off the train at Newcastle before witnessing the fight.
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Claire Armstrong, prosecuting, said: "She could see the platform was extremely busy with waiting passengers when her attention was drawn to a carriage where loud shouting was coming from. She took a look and saw two men shouting at each other and being very animated with their body language. The manager observed the other man lunge towards the defendant, grabbing him before they were seen fighting each other. At that time females were also becoming involved."
Ms Armstrong said that that police also became aware of the incident and they went to try and remove Crook from the train. Ms Armstrong said Crook was repeatedly saying "that fat c*** wouldn't move for the kids". She added: "It appears there were children trying to get on the train."
In interview Crook, who had one previous conviction for an unrelated matter, said he had been waiting to board the train and saw children and a woman trying to board. He admitted in interview he called a woman a "scruffy b******" and that the altercation was said to have happened soon after. The court heard that the other man involved in the fight had complied with his caution and was not required to appear at court.
Following the incident, Crook, who works as a joiner, was given a conditional caution and had to pay to attend a course. However, Crook paid for the course but failed to attend, meaning he instead had to be dealt with at court.
Crook, who appeared without representation, did not make any further comments after agreeing to the opened facts. Magistrates fined him £500 and ordered him to pay £135 costs.
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