Ticket inspector 'bit' commuter in fare dispute
A young commuter claims he was bitten on the face and spat at by a ticket inspector during an argument over a fare at Southern Cross Station.
Rory James, 22, insists he will be taking legal action following the alleged attack in which he was 'violently' tackled to the floor and then bitten on the cheek.
The alleged victim, who was travelling with his partner, Koby, and dad, told 7News he had not paid for a ticket because Metcard machines at Fairfield Station were not working.
When approached by inspectors, Rory refused to accept afine, insisting he had made a genuine mistake.
As he started to walk away, Rory claims he was grabbed and pinned to the ground by up to five plain-clothed ticket officers.
"They grabbed me and tackled me to the ground," he told 7News.
"A big bloke was on my chest as I lay on the floor. I was yelling and screaming because I couldn't breathe."
He said in the struggle, one inspector was hit in the mouth, and responded by spitting on Rory, then biting him.
"I saw he had copped a bloody lip, I'm not sure how," Rory explained.
"But after that he spat on my face. I retaliated by spitting back and after that he latched onto my cheek with his teeth."
"It was excessive force they used, especially biting somebody. I haven't even been bitten by a baby, let alone a man."
Today he has sore ribs, and will need a tetanus shot.
His partner, Koby, has revealed the inspector also followed up with a homophobic taunt.
"He came up to me and said 'you little faggot'," Koby said.
The inspector was taken to hospital with a split lip and broken tooth.
Rory was arrested and will be charged with assault.
"I don't think that's really fair because I think I was the victim in this whole thing," Rory said.
Metro is investigating the incident but CCTV pictures are inconclusive.
