Man who smashed station master's head into floor in ticket row is spared jail

A station master who feared for his life when he was brutally attacked by a passenger told of his "disgust" today after the thug walked free from court.

Mario Jenkins, 43, was helping a colleague settle a dispute with Wokciech Slusarczyk over a train fare at Liverpool Street station when he was set upon.

Slusarczyk, 29, followed him to a private office, floored him and punched him repeatedly in the face, smashing his head onto the concrete floor.

The court heard that the victim feared he would die until security guards rushed to his aid.

Mr Jenkins, a customer services manager for National Express East Anglia, was left heavily bruised and concussed and was off work for seven weeks.

Slusarczyk, of Hounslow, denied the assault in June, claiming self-defence, but was found guilty following a trial at Blackfriars crown court.

But Judge Jane Sullivan decided against jailing him and instead imposed a 12-month community order with 100 hours' unpaid work.

Mr Jenkins today said he was shocked. He said: "I'm not happy about this at all. When he was found guilty, the judge told me he'd get a custodial sentence.

"What message does this send out? That people can get away with attacking civil servants?

"I have been doing this job for 25 years and I always give 110 per cent customer service. This attack has affected me very badly. At one point I could not sleep.

"The safety of my customers and staff is my top priority."

Mr Jenkins told the court he had been working a nightshift when he was called to assist a ticket inspector. He said he found Slusarczyk ranting about having to pay a £19.80 fare after getting off a train from Stansted. After speaking on the concourse, Mr Jenkins said the Pole followed him. He told the jury: "He was just looking left, right, at the ceiling. Then he shouted: 'No cameras.' He's run at me and banged me in the chest, boom.

"He swung three or four heavy punches into my face. I felt my life was in danger. But it got worse.

"He's punching me as hard as he could and my head was banging on the concrete floor. He's saying: 'I'm gonna make sure your wife don't recognise you.' But luck saved me that night."

Judge Sullivan said: "The aggravating feature is the victim was merely trying to provide a service to the public.

"However, I do feel able to deal with you by way of a community order."