Train passenger punched and headbutted security staff at Belfast’s Grand Central Station

Aisosa Osahon also tried to bite another guard amid claims he had been disrespected at the weekend for apparently travelling without a ticket.

The 27-year-old was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Osahon, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to three common assaults and disorderly behaviour in connection with the outburst.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard he was detained by Translink staff following a confrontation at Grand Central Station on Saturday morning.

A security supervisor initially spoke to him after it seemed he was trying to avoid buying a ticket to travel, and then made a second approach to offer assistance.

Two other members of security staff arrived on the scene when Osahon began to shout aggressively. When asked to exit the station he replied: “Don’t make me go crazy, I am not leaving.”

He had to be carried out after lashing out with his arms and legs, but attempted to bite one of the victims on the leg several times.

A Crown lawyer said Osahon then managed to break free and punched the supervisor in the face. “He then grabbed (another member of security staff) by his body-worn harness and headbutted him, causing a bump to his head,” the prosecutor added.

Defence counsel told the court Osahon initially travelled from England to Dublin, where he spent a number of weeks sleeping rough before getting a train to Belfast.

“He obviously didn’t have money to purchase a ticket and said that when these individuals confronted him he felt very disrespected and lashed out,” the barrister submitted. “He is a fairly vulnerable individual with significant issues.”

District Judge Steven Keown was informed that a separate warrant for Osahon’s arrest has been issued in Newcastle, England.

Describing the assaults as “nasty”, Mr Keown warned: “If he comes back to this jurisdiction and commits any offences he will be in breach of a suspended sentence.”