A drunken ticket dodger threatened to snap a train inspector’s neck after being asked for proof he paid for the journey.

Dean Duke was on board a Southeastern train which departed from Folkestone when Paul Goodburn asked to see a valid ticket.

When Duke could not provide one Mr Goodburn asked for his name and address to issue a fixed penalty notice.

But although the 30-year-old initially complied, he suddenly became enraged and threatened the staff member.

Duke called him a snitch and launched a homophobic slur, then threatened to break his neck while shouting and swearing in front of passengers.

Duke, of Sandgate Road, Folkestone, was arrested at the station and later charged with two counts of threatening behaviour.

He admitted both when he appeared in front of magistrates in Margate on June 14.

Prosecutor Gus Walter told the court the incident happened on February 20, as the service arrived at Ashford International Railway Station.

He added: “Mr Goodburn and a colleague were on the train as part of their jobs as revenue protection officers and as a ticket inspector he asked the defendant to show his valid ticket.

“No ticket was produced and they were just getting his details for a penalty notice and he did start to provide some details but then an argument broke out.

“The defendant got frustrated and started giving the staff verbal abuse.

“He called him a snitch and a f***ing gay and then said: ‘I’ll snap your neck in a minute’.

“(Duke) then tried to disembark from the train but the doors had been locked and he had to remain on the train, he then carried on shouting and swearing and there were other people on the train and they also encountered this behaviour.

“The defendant then said he would smash something and then said: ‘I’ll do him in a minute’, and the staff thought he might have a knife, he didn’t, but they felt intimidated.

“He was then assisted to a seat so they could get his details for the penalty notice and as the train stopped he got off and the staff lost sight of him.”

However, as the staff went to the booking hall at the station to report the matter to British Transport officers, they spotted Duke back on the platform and saw him get back on the train.

The prosecutor added: “He was arrested for the offences.

“Mr Goodburn gave a victim impact statement to say he was in fear that the defendant would hurt him as he had threatened violence against him.

“The complainant and his colleague were just doing their public service and were in uniform in their role on the railway.

“The defendant has eight previous convictions for 12 offences, two offences against a person, a theft and driving and a firearm offence, as well as others.

“He was convicted of the offensive weapon offence in October 2022 and was put on a community order.”

James Langridge, mitigating, said his client gave an early guilty plea and, as a result, should be given credit for that and the fact he made admissions to officers.

He added: “He has an alcohol issue, he was in drink (at the time) and was highly intoxicated.

“He’s had some stress, his mum has COPD and lives in London, he’s homeless really and has been living in a tent, he’s been sofa surfing for eight years and is in the tent now, he’s regretful and has remorse.

“It was an isolated incident, there was no physical violence you could give him a community order in this case.”

At that moment, Duke spoke to the magistrates himself and said: “I would have had a drink today if I had not been in court.

“I have some mental health issues too, but I am on meds and I am seeing people (for that condition).

A probation officer told the bench Duke would be suitable for an alcohol treatment requirement (ATR) for three months.

Having explained the condition could be tagged onto a community order magistrates accepted the suggestion.

Duke was handed a six-month community order which will involve him completing the three-month ATR.

He was also ordered to attend 10 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions with probation.

Duke was ordered to pay Mr Goodburn £75 compensation and told he must also pay a victim surcharge of £114 as well as £85 court costs.