Boozy Businessman Fined For Train Guard Blow

A ‘commuter rage’ business development manager, who punched a train guard in the face as he travelled home following an after-work drinking-session, has been left with an £845 court bill.

Anthony Charles Gardiner, 46, of Montgomerie Court, Forest View, Chingford lashed out at Liverpool Street Station, claiming his rail enquiry was met with a “sarcastic comment.”

He pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court to assaulting Luke Francis on May 27 after the prosecution dropped a charge that the attack on the black victim was racially aggravated.

“It is a very, very serious incident that has happened,” bench chairwoman Stella Braid told Gardiner. “Mr. Francis was working that day, doing his job and we believe you had been drinking.”

“Mr. Francis says that this has effected him in his work and how he deals with customers,” added the magistrate fining the defendant £480, with £315 costs and ordering him to pay £50 compensation.

Prosecutor Mr. Ijaz Malik told the court Gardiner, who admits he had a few drinks, but denies being drunk, asked platform staff if he was correctly boarding the next train to Chingford and was told: “Yes, sir.”

However, the enquiry quickly escalated into a verbal confrontation with the defendant shouting and swearing.

Mr. Francis approached him and CCTV captured the moment Gardiner swung his arm and punched the guard in the face, causing swelling and bruising around his eye, which required hospital treatment.

The defendant was restrained by staff on the floor and claims he himself was the victim of an assault, insisting he was covered in blood from multiple facial cuts when police arrived.

“The prosecution say it was a deliberate and unprovoked assault,” added Mr. Malik. “The victim says he feels devastated and shocked to be punched by a passenger.”

Gardiner said the row worsened when he felt Mr. Francis was trying to move him off the platform, but accepts his response was “excessive.”

The defendant ran his own business for sixteen years until the partnership was recently dissolved and is now employed in East London.