Court heard 34-year-old hurled racist abuse at Tube driver and ran across live tracks

A DRUNKEN barman who smashed a train window and hurled racist abuse at a Tube driver before running across the tracks has been fined �400.

Brent Magistrates Court heard William Kurt McConnell carried out his reckless spree at Queensbury Tube Station on October 31 this year.

The 34-year-old, from Bermondsey, south London, had already broken the window of a train when he was spotted by a station supervisor running up and down the platforms swinging a belt with a large buckle at one end at oncoming southbound trains at 11.20pm.

The employee called the police and advised drivers to approach the station at a cautious speed while they waited for officers to arrive.

McConnell then hurled racist abuse at one of the drivers before sitting on the platform with his legs dangling over the edge and jumping onto the track.

Tube staff were forced to turn of the electricity in the station as McConnell clambered back onto the platform and jumped over a fence where he disappeared down the embankment.

He was arrested by officers from British Transport Police (BTP)and subsequently charged with criminal damage, trespass and racially aggravated harassment, alarm and distress.

He has been ordered to pay �300 in fines and �100 compensation to the driver he abused.

Aidan Harris, manager of the workplace violence unit at London Underground, said: “We are very happy that someone who racially abused our staff has been convicted.

Mr McConnell’s actions were despicable and we will continue to work closely with the BTP to ensure that anyone who assaults or abuses a member of staff will have their day in court.”