A DRUNKEN man has been jailed for swinging a punch at a member of train staff at Oxenholme station.

Patrick Maher, 29, was found passed out on a bench by officers not long after trying to attack the victim.

The staff member reported Maher had been smoking outside the station – when the victim walked past Maher threw a punch.

He missed but the surprise caused the staff member to fall over and land on his side, suffering minor grazes and bruises.

Maher then walked away.

The incident happened shortly after 4pm on Tuesday 8 October.

Officers from the British Transport Police West Coast Mainline unit, which is dedicated to tackling crime in the area, attended. They found Maher asleep, sitting on a bench at the station.

He was woken up and arrested on suspicion of assault.

Maher, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to common assault.

He was jailed for six weeks at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court. He was also ordered to pay £172 in fines.

PC Adam Heslop said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack on a member of staff who was just going about their daily work. It’s completely unacceptable.

“As shown by his prison sentence, BTP and the courts will not tolerate any violence or abuse towards rail staff.”