A MAN who racially abused and spat at Tube workers has been given a suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty at Westminster Magistrates Court. Andrew Bays, 30, of Glasshouse Fields, Shadwell was sentenced to 16 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months

A MAN who racially abused and spat at Tube workers has been given a suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Andrew Bays, 30, of Glasshouse Fields, Shadwell was sentenced to 16 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months after assaulting a Tube supervisor and abusing other staff at West Hampstead station earlier in the year.

Bays, who had travelled to the end of the Jubilee Line and could not be roused, became abusive towards staff at West Hampstead when they tried to move him off the train.

He swore, hurled racial abuse and spat at staff.

British Transport Police Insp Kate Shaw said: "Bays' foul outburst was totally uncalled for and must have been very unpleasant for the staff to endure.

"Tube staff can sometimes be subjected to drunken and aggressive behaviour and this will not be tolerated."

Bays pleaded guilty to racially aggravated common assault, causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm and distress and causing harassment alarm and distress. He was sentenced to 16 weeks jail, suspended for 18 months and was given a supervision requirement for 18 months.

He was also ordered to pay a total of �250 compensation to his victims and to pay �50 court costs.

Aidan Harris, London Underground's Workplace Violence Unit Manager, said: "The assault against our staff was unprovoked and they were simply trying to do their job.

"We take any kind of abuse towards our passengers or staff extremely seriously and we will always push for the strongest penalties as our staff are simply trying to do their job.