Yahoo News Drunk man carrying crate of beer headbutted rail worker and bit police radio
Bernard Hartnett appeared instead on his feet and was carrying a crate of Budweiser at Portsmouth and Southsea station in Hampshire.
A drunk man carrying a crate of beer headbutted a train station worker and bit a chunk out of a police radio in an early morning attack.
Bernard Hartnett, 28, was spotted going into Portsmouth and Southsea station in Hampshire, shortly before 9am on 8 August, 2021.
Witnesses say he appeared seemingly unsteady on his feet and was carrying a crate of Budweiser.
A member of staff told him he couldn’t get on a train in his drunken state, to which Hartnett replied, “it’s not f***ing fair” and launched a tirade.
He became increasingly aggressive towards the staff member, before headbutting him on the nose.
Hartnett then grabbed hold of the victim and began pushing him towards the platform edge, causing the man's knee to collapse as he fell to the floor.
As the victim lay on the platform Hartnett attempted to punch him before other members of rail staff rushed over and held Hartnett back.
Police arrived and arrested Hartnett, who began to struggle as they led him away.
As officers dragged him away, Hartnett bit into one of their radios and would not let go until he bit through part of it – snapping part of the device and leaving internal wires hanging from his mouth.
The rail worker was rushed to hospital and needed surgery for a ruptured tendon in his knee and was left needing a leg brace for three months.
Hartnett pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm without intent and criminal damage at a hearing in February.
He was due to be sentenced last month, but did not turn up and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
After police tracked him down, Hartnett was jailed for two years at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Detective constable Phil James, investigating officer in the case for the British Transport Police (BTP), said: “Put simply, Hartnett’s actions that morning were appalling.
“No one should go to work and be subjected to violence or intimidation…
“We have zero tolerance for this offending, and we’ll always take action.”
