James Robertson faces court for spitting on train conductor at Ballarat

A train passenger who became angry after missing his stop and ending up in Wendouree told a conductor he wanted to go back to an earlier station before spitting on her.

James Robertson, 27, leaves Ballarat Magistrates' Court after being sentenced for spitting on a train conductor.

A vile grub spat on a train conductor at Wendouree railway station train simply because he was annoyed he had missed his stop, a court has heard.

James Robertson, 27, pleaded guilty to assault at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

The court heard that late on January 25, 2024, Robertson caught a train from Melbourne that terminated at Wendouree at 1.20am the next morning.

Once the train arrived at Wendouree, its conductor checked the carriages.

When she came upon Robertson, he told her he needed to go back to Ballarat – the previous stop – and that he would stay on the train.

He then became angry and as he disembarked, spat on the woman.

Ballarat station (pictured) is the train stop before Wendouree. Picture: V/Line

The court heard Robertson was homeless at the time.

He read a letter to the court in which he said he was “not thinking straight” and had mental health troubles.

“Your work is important and you are an important part of the community,” he said about the conductor, to whom he apologised.

Magistrate Guillaume Bailin said spitting on another person was an “appalling act of assault”.

“The sense of safety, disgust, all the concerns they would have about having to get tested … all of it from his momentary decision because he was annoyed.”

Roberston was put on an 18-month good behaviour bond.