A drunk former railway worker verbally abused staff – and then pulled the emergency stop on the train.

The loutish behaviour of George O'Neil, 48, while travelling between Penrith and Carlisle last year, caused distress and chaos on the Manchester Aiport to Glasgow service via Penrith.

The disruption triggered delays to four other trains, and delayed his own train by 22 minutes, magistrates in Carlisle heard.

O'Neil, of Osborne Avenue, off Wigton Road, Carlisle, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour towards train staff and obstructing an engine on the railway.

Prosecutor Pam Ward described how a customer service assistant called Thomas Jenkins was serving on the train at 2.20pm when he noticed O'Neil, slurring his speech and clearly drunk.

A short while later, the defendant tried to buy more alcohol but Mr Jenkins refused, politely telling O'Neil he had had enough.

“I made that decision for the safety of the people in the carriage,” said Mr Jenkins.

But the defendant refused to accept the decision, calling Mr Jenkins a “jobsworth”. Because O'Neil refused to be placated, Mr Jenkins alerted train manager Lauren Lee.

Mrs Ward said: “She spoke to him, and said it was [Mr Jenkins'] decision whether or not to serve alcohol. She was apologetic and tried to reason with him.

"She gave him the customer service number so he could complain. But he just threw it back at her.”

Worried by the man's hostility, Miss Lee alerted British Transport Police.

Incredibly, as the two staff members retreated along the train, O'Neil followed them, clearly intent on continuing the argument.

Mr Jenkins said: “We locked ourselves in the cab at the back of the train. We were were scared and feared for our safety.”

Even after they had locked themselves in the cab, O'Neil continued shouting and swearing outside the door, and kicking it, yelling that he wanted to speak to somebody with more authority.

He was heard saying: “I'm going to have you.”

When the northbound train stopped at Penrith, he stayed on the train.

As it set off, he pulled the train's emergency brake, bringing it to an instant halt. Even then, Virgin Trains staff had to stand between the two victims and O'Neil as he continued shouting abuse.

Mrs Ward said that Trans Pennine Express had lodged a compensation claim for £8,390 as a result of the delays caused by the incident.

John Smith, for O'Neil, said his client's first question when he met him was: “Am I going to prison?”

A married grandfather who was Carlisle born and bred, O'Neil had himself previously worked on the railways for 20 years. He had little memory of what had happened that day, said the lawyer.

“He's extremely apologetic and ashamed,” said Mr Smith.

“He left the railways in 2012 because his mother was ill and he had not returned to work due to depression.

“He is on Employment Support Allowance, which at present has been stopped, principally due to Government legislation, so he doesn't have any income at all. He also suffers badly from arthritis.”

Noting that he had been out of trouble since 2001, magistrates imposed a three month jail term, but suspended the sentence for a year.

O'Neil must also observe an eight week 7pm to 7am curfew. The magistrates said they had limited the compensation because of the defendant's tight financial circumstances.