A ScotRail worker “lost it” and assaulted a 15-year-old girl while on duty at a Fife train station following “a lot of antisocial behaviour” there, a court has heard.
Charles Algeo, 52, previously admitted punching the teenager on the back of the head as she lay face down on the ground at Inverkeithing railway station.
The incident was instigated by the youngster and Algeo had tried to walk away from the girl and her two friends following a verbal exchange but reacted when his victim kicked out at him.
First offender Algeo appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court this week for sentencing.
Should have called police seconds earlier
Defence lawyer Alan Rodgers told the court there has been “a lot of antisocial behaviour” at Inverkeithing train station – something confirmed by his client’s trade union representative.
The solicitor said: “The three females are well-known to station staff.
“He does not seek to minimise his reaction in that he ought to have walked away and gone to the booking office and called the British Transport Police (BTP).
“He did this after the scuffle… but wishes he had done that 20 seconds previously”.
Mr Rodgers said Algeo’s 34-year career working for the railway has now been lost to “10 seconds loss of control”.
He said Algeo essentially retired from his role following the incident.
The solicitor described it as a “red mist moment”.
The assault
The court heard previously the girl and two friends had been walking over a bridge at the train station when Algeo passed and appeared to knock into one of their shoulders.
Procurator fiscal depute Amy Robertson said the girl turned to confront Algeo, saying “f***ing try it” and he drew her attention to his body-worn camera.
Ms Robertson said Algeo turned to walk and away and the girl followed him, “kicking out towards him with her lower leg”.
The fiscal said: “The accused thereafter turned towards her and pulled her to the ground.
“He hit her to the back of her head with his fist while she was face down on the ground.
“She attempted to get up, however she was once again pushed to the ground, hitting her jaw on the floor.”
The girl was left with a cut to her head and a concussion.
The court heard the girl also suffered a chipped tooth but it was “not professionally assessed by a dentist”.
Ms Robertson said Algeo, of Castandhill Road, Rosyth, was on duty in his capacity as “ScotRail station staff” at the time of the assault.
‘Last straw’
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told Algeo: “It’s unfortunate that someone in his early 50s with an unblemished record, in the circumstances, loses it – and that’s exactly what happened in this case.
“For whatever reason the incident was the last straw.
“I take account of the circumstances – and I suppose one might say provocation is perhaps the wrong word – but an element of certain aggravation in what was going on”.
Sheriff Foulis fined Algeo £500.
ScotRail clampdown
ScotRail did not comment on this incident but the rail operator has been taking steps to tackle antisocial behaviour across the network.
It works closely with BTP and has one of the largest CCTV networks in the UK, with more than 6,000 cameras monitoring more than 350 stations.
In October 2021 the train operator introduced a travel safe team which is, according to its website, designed to be a “reactive resource with the ability to quickly focus on emerging hotspots”.
It says the team has targeted a number of stations and routes and has seen a drop in reported events during and after anti-social behaviour exercises.
Across the business, extensive training has taken place to support frontline people in the use of body-worn cameras and the aim is to increase the number of cameras in use.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail head of customer operations, said: “If anyone observes any anti-social behaviour on our trains or at stations, they should contact the BTP and report those responsible.”
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