A train fare dodger who punched a ticket inspector so hard that his tooth went 'flying' has been spared jail. Finley Seggie, 21, pleaded guilty to Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) after attacking Peter Corley, 62, on a train in West Yorkshire on December 14, 2024. The incident forced Mr Corley to leave his job and undergo £3,000 worth of dental treatment.
The Assault
Mr Corley, a grandfather-of-one from York and former army officer, was conducting the afternoon train from Leeds to York. He described the atmosphere as having a 'pre-Christmas vibe' before asking Seggie and his friend for their tickets. The friend admitted they had no ticket, and Seggie began verbally abusing Mr Corley. When Mr Corley asked them to get off at the next station, East Garforth, Seggie punched him in the face.
'It was a very hard punch. I'm sure he's done some boxing training, but he hasn't learned the responsibility that goes with it,' Mr Corley said. 'As a ticket inspector you know there are 2 per cent of passengers who would deck you, but I really didn't see it coming.' He recalled seeing Seggie walking towards him with a 'crooked unpleasant grin' before the punch landed, sending his tooth 'flying out' of his mouth.
Aftermath and Injuries
Mr Corley lost his top-right incisor and required a bridge, with Northern Trains covering the £3,000 dental bill. He was covered in blood and passengers were shocked. Despite the injury, he completed the journey to York, where he met British Transport Police and went to York Royal Infirmary. The assault left him struggling with mental health, forcing him to leave his train inspector role in May 2025. He now works as a supermarket customer team member and delivery driver.
'I really miss that job. Being a ticket inspector is a very difficult job - there's a lot to do and you're really focussed on helping people,' Mr Corley said. 'Often you're there on your own dealing with all sorts of incidents, including being threatened with knives.'
Legal Outcome
Seggie was arrested on February 18 after being identified from CCTV and charged with ABH. He initially claimed self-defence but later admitted the charge. At Leeds Crown Court, he was handed a 16-month suspended sentence. Mr Corley expressed a desire for restorative justice, saying, 'I bear no grudge towards him. I would have preferred to meet him face to face as restorative justice, to look him in the eye and ask why he did this.'
