Matthew Tisdale tackled conductor Louise Caisley as he tried to board a train to Newtown at Welshpool station, before leaving her on the platform as he locked the doors.

Tisdale, 21, then tried to signal to the driver to pull away.

He was given 250 hours unpaid work, a 12-month community order and was ordered to pay £50 compensation, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Tisdale admitted charges of endangering the safety of people on a railway, assault by beating and interfering with automatic doors on a railway in relation to the incident on January 8.

He also admitted trespassing on a railway at Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, on March 17.

Mrs Helen Tench, prosecuting, said Tisdale, of Wesley Place, Newtown, attempted to board the train at Welshpool at 7.57pm to get home.

She said: "The conductor, Louise Caisley, asked him to present a ticket while boarding and he said he didn't have one and did not have the money to pay."

He then began swearing at Ms Caisley and telling her he was getting on the train "no matter what".

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She added: "He then pushed into her as he tried to get on the train and a grapple broke out, with the conductor suffering reddening to her face as a result of force used by the defendant.

"He then spat at her and the amount was so large it showed up on CCTV later viewed by police.

"The conductor then ended up on the platform and Tisdale jumped on board closing the doors and then pressing another button which locked the doors.

"He tried to signal to the driver to move on, but the driver realised what had happened and came to the conductor's aid and Tisdale was ejected and the police were called."

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Mrs Tench said Tisdale then refused to cooperate or even attend any police interviews.

In relation to the trespassing charge, she said: "An off-duty police officer saw the defendant around the train tracks. He was warned to stay away from the area and the police were notified.

"Again he did not attend interviews."

Miss Ceri Edwards, for Tisdale, said: "For a man of his age, my client has an unenviable record building up.

"He was formerly a successful young man who had achieved much in school and was a highly thought of young member of the local Labour Party." She said he was ashamed and was now vowing to make something of his life again.