A former journalist was threatened with arrest for swearing at magistrates after being accused of rail fare evasion.

Andrew Vaux, who used to work at the Bradford Telegraph & Argus, also swore at a lawyer representing rail company Northern when he appeared at Doncaster Magistrates Court to deny an offence of failing to produce a valid ticket for a journey.

A trial date was set for 28 September, but Vaux’s outburst prompted him to be called back into court where, according to the Doncaster Free Press, he told the bench “I am going to abuse liars” when warned his behaviour had been abusive.

He was then threatened with arrest and removal to the court’s cells after initially refusing to apologise for his conduct, although he did then offer an apology to the magistrates.

Doncaster Magistrates Court

The Free Press reported how the court had heard that Vaux, 54, had been accused of failing to produce a valid ticket for a journey he made between Low Moor and Leeds railway stations on 28 October last year.

Denying the offence, the former Leeds City Council press officer told the court that the ticket machine at Low Moor, near his home in Cleckheaton, was not working when he attempted to use it and that he had attempted to use the ticket machine in Leeds.

Vaux, who is now a freelance copywriter, told the court he was directed to a Northern employee whom he believed would sell him a ticket, only for his personal details to be taken in a “bullying and threatening manner” by five staff.

He later contested a penalty fare notice and said the charge was “complete lies” when he had made a deliberate attempt to purchase a ticket.

Addressing the court, Northern’s legal representative said that data produced by the rail operator revealed that the Low Moor machine had in fact been working normally when Vaux boarded his train, further claiming “numerous correspondence” sent to him had been returned torn up.

After his outburst to the magistrates, Vaux, who was supported by his wife, was warned to maintain the dignity of the court and that his behaviour would not be tolerated at trial.