Man jailed for attacking teenage boy on Carlisle to Hexham train

A man has been jailed for 17 weeks after punching a teenager on a train going from Carlisle to Hexham.

Brian Earl, 41, who is from Carlisle, admitted assaulting the 15-year-old boy during an incident last November.

The court heard how the victim was returning from a day out with his father and two of his father’s friends when a heavily intoxicated Earl boarded the train at Newcastle.

Witnesses said he was loud and disruptive and verbally abused a female passenger.

Despite asking him repeatedly to calm down, Earl became involved in a drunken fight with one of his own party, who he punched several times, drawing blood. 

The 15-year-old boy - who was protecting his father's friend - shouted at him to stop before Earl turned around and hit him in the face, splitting his lip.

British Transport Police described Earl's behaviour as 'terrifying' and said everyone had the right to travel without fearing for their safety.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Graham Marshall said: “This was a completely unprovoked and nasty attack on a frightened young boy who was simply trying to defend his father’s friend; another innocent bystander whose journey was marred by Earl being unable to handle his drink.

“Earl’s behaviour was terrifying and the fallout from his drinking binge was felt by everyone in that train carriage. It’s hoped that a 17 week sentence will give him time to contemplate his actions and his destructive drinking habits.”