A 32-year-old man has been jailed after he assaulted a member of rail staff.

Homeless Kelvin Mills was sentenced at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on August 1 after he pleaded guilty to battery by common assault.

The incident happened on 26 July at Southend rail station when a member of rail staff prevented Mills from entering the station as he did not have a ticket.

Mills left the station and returned a short while later. Mills then threw an open can of cider at the member of staff, striking him in the chest and covering him with alcohol.

Officers found Mills in Southend High Street where he was arrested.

PC Chris Henschel said: “Everyone has the right to travel and work on the rail network without fear or intimidation.

“Rail staff should be allowed to carry out their duties without being subjected to violence or the fear of violence.

“The victim was merely doing his job when he was assaulted by Mills. This was a completely unprovoked attack and the punishment handed down by the court reiterates that violence on the rail network will not be tolerated.”

Mills was committed to prison for six weeks concurrent.

He was ordered to pay compensation of £100.