Fare Dodger Jailed After Attacking Train and Blocking Tracks in Drunken Rampage

A fare-dodging passenger who attempted to drag a train driver from his cab, lay across the tracks to block a service and then bombarded the train with ballast has been jailed after causing chaos on a busy rail route in North Yorkshire.

Richard Disbury, 37, boarded a Harrogate-bound train at York station without a ticket shortly after being released from custody at York Magistrates’ Court. Earlier that day he had been given a conditional discharge for shoplifting, having recently completed a prison sentence for battery.

Soon after the train departed, Disbury’s behaviour began to alarm other passengers. He moved unsteadily around the carriage and caused repeated disturbances, leading several people to complain to the train manager.

When the service stopped at Hammerton station, between York and Harrogate, the train manager instructed Disbury to leave. He refused at first and was abusive when he eventually disembarked. The situation escalated further when he attempted to pull the train driver out of the cab by grabbing his arm.

Disbury then lay down across the railway track in front of the train, preventing it from moving and causing lengthy delays for passengers on board and other services using the line. He went on to throw rocks and track ballast at the train, cracking the driver’s windscreen. The resulting damage was later valued at £19,951.

Police arrested Disbury at the scene. He was described as heavily intoxicated, with no fixed address, and continued to behave aggressively after being detained. While being transported to custody, he repeatedly banged his head inside the police van. During interview, he told officers he had been released from court that morning and had immediately begun drinking.

Disbury admitted charges of obstructing a railway, assault, criminal damage and public disorder when he appeared for sentence on January 30. The court heard he has 63 previous convictions for 128 offences, including drink-related violence, public order offences and assaults on emergency workers, including British Transport Police officers. He also had a long history of fare evasion and breaching court orders.

He was sentenced to two years and four months in prison and told he would serve less than half of the term in custody before being released on licence.

Image: British Transport Police