A Birmingham ticket inspector struck a passenger with his ticket machine in a 'moment of madness' during a confrontation over an invalid ticket on a city tram. Jasdeep Singh, 44, of Vine Crescent, West Bromwich, has since lost his job following the assault on a West Midlands Metro tram on May 25.
Incident on tram between Grand Central and Victoria Square
The court heard that Singh became involved in a verbal altercation with the victim travelling between Grand Central and Victoria Square. After the passenger got 'in his face, swearing constantly', Singh hit him with the ticket machine. The assault was attributed by Singh to the 'abuse he receives daily' whilst working on Birmingham trams.
Prosecuting, Ms Begum said: "The victim had to attend hospital due to the strike on his face." Singh's solicitor argued it was an "out of character situation" for the father, saying: "This was a very high level of provocation. He encounters this on a daily basis."
Court sentence and consequences
Singh pleaded guilty to assault by beating at Birmingham Magistrates' Court this week. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and must carry out 80 hours of unpaid work, plus pay £299 including £100 compensation.
Deputy District Judge Hinder told him: "I really accept this was - to use the cliche - a 'moment of madness'." The incident has cost Singh his job, and the court order requires him to complete unpaid work and pay compensation to the victim.
