Two attacked on train at Wellington station in row over rail ticket
A conductor and passenger were attacked on board a train at Wellington station after a brawl broke out when another passenger refused to buy a ticket.
The conductor was attacked when he challenged the passenger, who did not have a ticket for the service from Shrewsbury to Birmingham New Street. The incident happened at about 7pm on Saturday.
Constable Kirk Smith, from British Transport Police, said: "While carrying out a routine ticket check, the conductor asked a passenger who refused to buy a ticket to leave the service at the next stop.
"When he refused to do so, he became aggressive towards the conductor and assaulted him. Some passengers then intervened and helped usher the man off the train at Wellington, during which one of the passengers was also assaulted.
"This was a nasty incident, exacerbated by the man's unpredictable and aggressive reaction to what was a perfectly reasonable request.
"Not only was the conductor assaulted while simply trying to carry out his job, but a passenger who came to his aid was also subjected to a totally unprovoked attack.
"This was a frightening and intimidating experience for both victims, as well as the other passengers on the train."
A 45-year-old man from Birmingham has been arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm. He has been interviewed and released on police bail, pending further inquiries, until 6 February.
Constable Smith said: "We have already spoken to the victims but are appealing for anyone else who was on the train or at the station at the time to come forward."
Anyone with any information about the assault is asked to call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting background reference B12/WQA of 15/01/2012, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
