Man jailed for biting member of rail staff - Manchester

A 24-year-old man who bit the arm of a travel safe officer has been jailed following a British Transport Police investigation.

Riyad Rahal, of Hatton Garden, Liverpool, was sentenced to eight months in prison after being found guilty of assaulting the victim at Wigan Magistrates' court on Tuesday 7 February.

He was also ordered to pay the victim £156 compensation.

The court heard how at around 1.30am on Sunday 12 June last year, Rahal was spotted by a travel safe officer behaving suspiciously at Manchester Victoria station and making his way towards the entrance of the AO Arena.

Rahal was detained by travel safe officers due to his behaviour and Rahal kicked and screamed at them before biting the travel safe officer in the bicep, breaking the skin and causing him to scream out in pain.

He was arrested later that day by British Transport Police officers at Manchester Piccadilly station.

Investigating officer PC Andrew Margerison, said: "Rahal's behaviour had rightly aroused the suspicions of the victim and his colleagues.

"We will not tolerate abuse or violence against those who work on the railway, who are simply doing their job. We’d always encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour or anything they don’t feel comfortable with to text us discreetly on 61016. "