Ticketless Man Threatens SW Trains Staff

A ticketless passenger threatened to kill a south west trains worker before trying to punch him -all because he was asked to show his ticket.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers are appealing for information after the incident at Hamworthy rail station around 10am on Tuesday, 5 April.

Investigators have also released CCTV images of the man they want to identify.

The victim, a 57-year-old member of South West Trains staff, approached a man on the platform at Hamworthy after noticing he'd entered the station without paying for a ticket.

He asked the man if he'd bought a ticket but received no reply from the man, who seemed to be ignoring him.

When the victim tried to get the man's attention by waving his hand, the man threw a punch at him but did not make contact.

After the victim said he was calling police, the man replied: "If you touch me I will kill you," before continuing to verbally abuse him.

The man later claimed it had been a misunderstanding and bought a ticket.

PC Paul Moodie, based at Bournemouth BTP station on Holdenhurst Road, said:

"This man threatened and tried to attack the member of staff simply because he had done his job and quite rightly asked if he had a valid ticket.

"Although he appeared to backtrack slightly later by buying a ticket, his behaviour was unacceptable and I want to hear from anyone who thinks they might recognise him."

Anyone with information should contact BTP on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference B2/LSA of 2/6/11.