Doncaster man who 'locked himself in train toilet' racially abused conductor

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard on February 26 how Godrick Stanton, aged 38, of Lower Dolcliffe Road, Mexborough, abused a conductor after he had refused to come out of a toilet cubicle and racially abused a rail loss prevention officer.

Robert Coyne, prosecuting, said: “During a ticket inspection it was reported a male had locked himself in a toilet for some time.”

Mr Coyne added the conductor repeatedly knocked on the toilet door and told Stanton he needed to show his ticket.

Stanton came out but he insulted the conductor as he showed his train pass and he was told to disembark at Rotherham Station, according to Mr Coyne.

Mr Coyne said the loss prevention officer told Stanton he must leave the train during the incident in June, 2018.

Stanton further insulted the conductor, according to Mr Coyne, and he made racist insults concerning the officer as he left the train.

The defendant was found guilty of using threatening behaviour towards the conductor and racially-aggravated threatening behaviour towards the loss prevention officer after a previously heard trial.

Andrew Swaby, defending, said Stanton boarded the train to go to the cinema at Meadowhall but he has mental health problems and struggles in public places.

He added Stanton’s behaviour was out of character.

Deputy District Judge Jane Hamilton sentenced Stanton to a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation requirement and 40 hours of unpaid work.

He must pay an £85 victim surcharge and £300 costs.