A fare-dodger who assaulted a ticket inspector after being caught on the Docklands Light Railway has avoided a jail sentence.

Masud Rashid, of Bromley-by-Bow, punched a customer service officer twice in the face and threw his portable radio away when the victim tried to call for help.

Rashid, 27, had told his 49-year-old victim “get out of my way, I’ve got somewhere important to be”, and was later heard getting into a taxi saying he was on his way to a prison on the afternoon of March 1.

He was arrested at his home in Nelson Walk on March 5, having been identified from CCTV footage shot at Woolwich Arsenal DLR station.

Rashid was sentenced at City of London Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, having been found guilty of assault and fare evasion.

He had previously denied the charges.

Det Con Steve Ajayi, of the British Transport Police, said: “This was an unprovoked assault on a member of staff who was simply doing his job.

“The victim was left feeling traumatised by the incident and was diagnosed with a soft tissue injury to his face as a result of Rashid’s actions.

“DLR and Tube staff should not have to endure abuse or violence for carrying out their job and we will arrest and prosecute anyone who thinks this type of behaviour is acceptable,” he added.

Rashid was handed a four month prison sentence, suspended for a year, as well as 200 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £1,500 compensation to his victim and court costs of £620.