A group of women who attacked tram staff over a simple ticket check in October last year have been sentenced.

Natalie Reid, 20, of Coleridge Road, Croydon, Saffii Walker,19, of Holmesdale Road SE25, and Natasha Kilby-Whelan, 20, of Tunstall Road, Croydon were sentenced at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Reid punched an inspector in the face repeatedly after staff asked the group for their tickets.

The attack happened on a tram between Centrale and West Croydon on October 4.

PC Mark Walden, of British Transport Police (BTP), said: “Saffii Walker became aggressive after a Revenue Protection Inspector conducted a routine check on her Oyster card, before trying to snatch it out of his hand.

“Natalie Reid then barged into him before pushing him off of the tram.”

Three of the victim’s colleagues tried to help him but Reid, Walker and Kilby-Whelan became increasingly hostile, with Reid attacking one of the other inspectors and punching her repeatedly in the face.

Police were called and Walker and Reid were arrested at the scene.

Kilby-Whelan was arrested at her home address a month later following further police enquiries.

Natalie Reid was sentenced to a total of four months in jail suspended for two years after pleading guilty to two counts of actual bodily harm and one count of affray.

She was also handed a four month curfew order, ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid community work and must pay a total of £300 compensation and £70 court costs.

Saffii Walker was found guilty of affray and was handed a four month curfew order. She must also pay £200 compensation and £200 court costs.

Natasha Kilby-Whelan was found guilty of affray and was also handed a four month curfew order. She must pay £150 compensation, £200 court costs and must undertake 100 hours unpaid work for breaching an existing conditional discharge.

PC Walden said: “Why these women felt they had the right to assault and abuse members of staff who were simply doing their jobs is inconceivable.

"Buying a valid ticket is a simple condition of using the tram system and there is absolutely no excuse for this sort of violent and aggressive behaviour.

“I hope that their conviction and sentencing sends out the clearest possible message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated."

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