A DRUNKEN man has been jailed for swinging a punch at a member of train staff at a railway station.

Patrick Maher, 29, was found passed out on a bench by officers not long after trying to attack the victim.

The staff member reported Maher had been smoking outside the station. When the victim walked past Maher threw a punch.

He missed but the surprise caused the staff member to fall over and land on his side, suffering minor grazes and bruises.

The incident happened shortly after 4pm on October 8.

Officers from the British Transport Police West Coast Mainline unit attended. They found Maher asleep, sitting on a bench at the station. He was woken up and arrested on suspicion of assault.

Maher, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to common assault. He was jailed for six weeks at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court. He was also ordered to pay £172 in fines.