A MAN who punched a train guard in the face leaving him with severe mouth injuries in what police described as a "despicable attack" has been sent to jail for 20 weeks.

John Edward Igoe, of Pennine Close, Parr was given the jail sentence at Bootle Magistrates' Court following an investigation by British Transport Police.

Thirty-five-year-old Igoe was handed the prison sentence and also ordered to pay £500 compensation to his victim.

Meanwhile, Nathan Harding, 27, of Prior Street, Bootle, was fined £381 for racially aggravated threatening behaviour in the lead up to the assault.

He was ordered to pay costs of £250 and a victim surcharge of £38.

The court heard how on August 16 last year both men boarded a train at Southport station and were behaving in a loud and disorderly manner, with Harding shouting and swearing.

At Blundellsands and Crosby station two Asian boys boarded the train and were immediately subject to racially aggressive abuse from Harding.

When a woman with a baby intervened, Harding became aggressive towards her.

Fearing for her safety she backed away and reported Harding to the train guard.

When the pair left the train at Waterloo and the guard tried to close the carriage doors, Igoe prevented him from doing so and reached into the carriage punching him in the face.

Igoe was charged with actual bodily harm and Harding with racially aggravated disorderly behaviour and threatening behaviour, offences they pleaded guilty to ahead of sentencing.

Investigating officer DC Richard Hague said: “This was a despicable attack on a member of rail staff who in an attempt to keep the peace and prevent the incident from escalating was left with severe injuries to his mouth which resulted in him requiring dental treatment.

“Harding’s vile racist slurs directed at two innocent young boys was shameful. Not to mention his aggressive intimidation of a young woman with a baby who refused to stand by while he spouted his racist abuse.”