Fare dodger spared jail after ‘very exhausting punch’ left prepare conductor ‘coated in blood’
Peter Corley, 62, asked fare dodger Finley Seggie and his friend to leave the York-bound train before Seggie punched him in the mouth and fled, knocking out his tooth and leaving him “covered in blood”
Peter Corley was attacked by a passenger after asking to see his ticket
A railway conductor lost a tooth when a passenger threw a “very hard punch’ to the face after he requested to see his ticket.
Peter Corley, 62, had instructed Finley Seggie, 21, and his friend to disembark the York-bound service at the next station when they couldn’t produce valid tickets.
But Seggie launched into a tirade of abuse at the conductor before advancing towards him and striking him in the mouth.
Peter lost his tooth, required £3,000 worth of dental work and was forced to quit his job following the attack on December 14, 2024.
Seggie subsequently admitted ABH and on May 5 he received a 16 month suspended sentence at Leeds Crown Court.
Grandfather-of-one Peter, from York, said: “It was very shocking. It was a very hard punch. I’m sure he’s done some boxing training, but he hasn’t learned the responsibility that goes with it.
“As a ticket inspector you know there are 2% of passengers who would deck you, but I really didn’t see it coming.
“I saw him walking towards me with a crooked unpleasant grin on his face, then it all happened so fast. I just remember watching my tooth fly out of my mouth. It happened so fast I had real difficulty processing it.”
Peter, who served as a Lance Corporal in the army during the 1980s, had stepped down from his role as a custody inspector for West Yorkshire police in 2015.
But eager to return to work, he began employment with Northern Trains in 2018 – and reveals his voice was even featured in the automated announcements.
He was working the afternoon service from Leeds to York on December 14, 2024. Peter said the train had a brilliant “pre-Christmas vibe” before he approached Seggie and his mate asking for their tickets.
The companion told Peter they didn’t possess one, before Seggie launched into a tirade of abuse at him.
Peter requested they alight at East Garforth, the following station, and went to help another passenger, while alerting the driver.
Regarding the incident Pete said: “He grinned, then punched me, I fell back, and he ran.
“My glasses flew off, and as I bent to pick them up my knees just went from under me. People on the train were very shocked. I was covered in blood.”
A passenger assisted Peter after Seggie struck him, and contacted the police.
Peter carried out his duties for the remainder of the journey to York, where he met the British Transport Police, and took a taxi to York Royal Infirmary.
Peter lost his top-right incisor, and required a bridge fitting. Northern Trains covered the £3,000 bill for his dental treatment, he said.
However, he had to quit the role in May 2025 due to mental-health issues triggered by the attack, he said.
He now works as a supermarket customer team member and delivery driver.
He said: “They were a very kind and responsible employer. I really miss that job. Being a ticket inspector is a very difficult job – there’s a lot to do and you’re really focussed on helping people.
“Often you’re there on your own dealing with all sorts of incidents, including being threatened with knives. I spent a lot of my time talking to people and explaining things, trying to make their experience a good one.
“People mind a lot about trains being late, but then you work for them, you become aware of all the reasons why this happens. There’s a lot of good on the railways, and lots of people working really hard to make it better. It’s a great career for all ages.”
Seggie was arrested on February 18 after being identified from the CCTV and charged with ABH.
He claimed he had struck Peter in self defence but later pleaded guilty to the charge. He was handed a 16-month suspended sentence at Leeds Crown Court on May 5.
During questioning he acknowledged hitting the man but insisted it was in self defence.
Peter said: “Most people operating outside the law are perfectly ordinary good people, who, for a variety of reasons, have chosen a wrong path. I bear no grudge towards him.
“I am satisfied with the outcome, but I would have preferred to meet him face to face as restorative justice, to look him in the eye and ask why he did this.”
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