A man with a ‘misunderstood’ tattoo where his hair should be has lashed out at a judge who refused him bail.
Stephen Weldon, 34, was in court for attacking a conductor who asked him to get off the train for vaping.
He dragged the condutor off the train and started punching and kicking his face while lieve-straming it. He can be heard shouting: ‘F**king mother f**ker. Not so tough now.’
He appeared at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court in Northern Irleand yesterday where District Judge Nigel Broderick sent him to the cells after refusing to grant bail.
He then launched a torrent of abuse at the judge.
Weldon was asked to leave the train in Magheramorne, four miles from his destination of Larne on Wednesday.
He asked how he was meant to get to work and was told he needed to walk or get the bus.
The conversation appeared to end amicably with Weldon and the conductor fistbumping.
The train then went on to Larne where the conductor spotted a vape charger, so when he spotted Weldon still at Magheramorne on the return journey, he went to hand it back to him.
However, instead of a thank you, Weldon kicked the conductor to the floor inside the train.
He was then dragged off the train and viciously attacked on the platform where he was hit six or seven times, leaving him with chipped teeth and bad brusing on his face.
He managed to get back on the train and shouted for passengers to call the police as he ran to the safety of the driver’s cabin.
Weldon told police he ‘saw red’ because he faced a 90-minute walk to his new job that he feared he might lose.
A detective constable outlinking the case said: ‘He was just trying to be the alpha so the defendant showed him who was the big alpha.’
Judge Broderick said the ‘unprovoked, vindictive assault would have been a terrifying experience for the injured party’ and that, given Weldon’s relevant convictions for assault, ‘in my view you are not a suitable candidate for bail.’
Remanding Weldon into custody, the judge adjourned the case until June 6.
After Weldon’s abuse, the judge added that if Weldon appealed the decision he wants the ‘High Court to be told of his attitude.’
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