Train attack couple avoid jail.

Dec 16 2011 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A PASSENGER on a train took umbrage to an apparent drunk mum looking after children – so she ferociously attacked her infront of the little ones.

Stacey McCue’s partner also got involved in the rammy, battering a man who was with the mum.

And after the 20 minute attack, shameless Anthony Bans taunted the victims as they fled the train, shouting: “Great scrap, but my bird won.”

The couple’s violence almost landed them both in jail.

But a sheriff decided to hit them hard in the pocket instead – they’ve each been fined £2000.

Horrifying CCTV footage of the incident was shown at Ayr Sheriff Court this week.

The court heard that the train from Ayr to Glasgow was extremely busy.

Bans and McCue were drunk when they boarded the train at Ayr at 9pm on July 30.

They quickly spotted Sharon Kerr, 29, Caroline Kerr, 47, and Gordon McKenzie, 51.

McCue and Sharon Kerr had a verbal spat regarding Kerr’s fitness to look after children.

Then McCue is seen jumping up from her seat and launching at the woman.

She pulls her hair, drags her to the ground, sits on her, repeatedly punches her face and bites her body.

Witnesses trapped on the train said they could hear the children screaming in fear.

During the fight, Bans got himself involved by punching, kicking and headbutting Gordon McKenzie.

McKenzie is later seen at the doors of the train trying to shield the children from the terrifying incident.

Shortly after, two other passengers take the four and six-year-olds to another part of the train to safety.

Bans, 33, and call centre supervisor McCue, both from Glasgow, pleaded guilty to the attacks.

After viewing the footage, Sheriff Desmond Leslie told them: “What I saw was quite appalling. There may have been minor provocation but nothing that warranted the sustained attacks thereafter.

“It was an extremely violent reaction and what makes it worse is that there were children there.

“The effects on children of witnessing violence can have long term implications on their future.

“It must have been extremely disturbing to the people on the train who were effectively trapped. There was no suggestion it would stop until blood was drawn.

“The question for me is whether or not to send you to jail.”

But they were ordered to each pay a fine of £2000 in monthly installments of £200.