A passenger who grew angry during a 40-minute wait for a train spat at a Southeastern worker after being asked to show his ticket.

Foul-mouthed Leon Towner, of Beacon Road, Herne Bay, also called the train conductor vile names when asked to get off the service.

A court heard the 19-year-old launched his tirade of abuse while travelling between Herne Bay and Chestfield and Swalecliffe Railway Station in Whitstable

Towner, formerly of Chestfield, was later charged with assault and threatening behaviour.

He admitted both offences when he appeared at Folkestone Magistrates' Court on December 13.

District Judge Claire Luxford described Towner’s behaviour on April 3 as “completely disgusting”.

Dylan Bradshaw, prosecuting, said the train conductor “has a thankless job to do”.

“He was checking people’s tickets on the train and an argument broke out and the defendant called him a fat **** when he asked to see his ticket,” he said.

The prosecutor said Towner was asked to get off at the next stop because of his behaviour and then spat at the member of staff as he ran from the platform out of the station.

Paul Shingleton, defending, told Judge Luxford his client had some mental health issues including autism and had a degree of emotional disability.

He said Towner had got angry with the conductor after waiting 40 minutes for his train.

Judge Luxford told Towner she would give him full credit for his early guilty plea, but told him his behaviour was unacceptable.

She added: “He was simply doing his job and he got abused and that is unacceptable and then he was spat at. That is completely disgusting behviour.”

Judge Luxford placed Towner on a 12-month community order which will see him carry out 40 hours of unpaid work and attend 15 rehabilitation sessions with probation.

He was also ordered to pay the Southeastern worker £50 compensation.