Boy, 12, attacked female guard at Birkenhead rail station

Oct 7 2009 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy assaulted a female Merseyrail guard while attempting to leave Conway Park Station, Wirral Magistrates’ Court heard on Thursday.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also entered guilty pleas to using threatening words to cause harassment, alarm or distress, travelling on a railway without paying a fare and a separate charge of receiving stolen goods.

On September 22, the defendant attempted to leave Conway Park station, pushing his bike.

Prosecuting, Stephen McPeake said: “The boy with the mountain bike came towards the barrier and was asked if he had a ticket.

“He said no, and was told he can buy one, and he said ‘I’m not buying one, I’ve got no money.’

“Then he went to the window and said ‘give me a ticket’”

The ticket attendant refused to serve him and told him to go away, at which point he lifted his bike to shoulder height and pretended to throw it at the guard.

Instead, he used the front wheels to “strike the barrier several times, forcing the complainant to move out of the way.” The female guard was struck on the arm.