Train passenger caused £80k havoc calling driver a 'paedo' and jumping on tracks Darren Howells, aged 29, from Handsworth also chased a man while armed with a machete in a separate incident Smethwick Galton Bridge Railway Station A train passenger caused nearly £80,000 worth of disruption to the rail network after calling the driver a 'paedo,' punching him in the head and jumping onto the tracks. Darren Howells' antics at Smethwick Galton Bridge Station prompted two trains to be cancelled and resulted in significant delays. ‌ In a separate incident, a few months later, the 29-year-old chased a man down the street while brandishing a machete. Article continues below READ MORE: Teen accused of murdering 12-year-old Leo Ross back in court But Howells, of Willmore Road, Handsworth was spared jail at Birmingham Crown Court which heard that his behaviour was fuelled by a combination of drink and drugs with his mental health issues. Instead, he was sentenced to an 18-month community order after admitting assault, obstructing an engine using a railway, affray and possession of a machete. ‌ The incident at the railway station took place on February 26 last year. Prosecutor Andrew Jordan said a train driver confronted Howells for being 'obstructive and aggressive' to a female worker, to which the defendant replied 'she's f****** mugging me off'. When the driver told him he would have to catch another train to Wolverhampton, Howells said, 'You're both mugging me off.' ‌ Smethwick Galton Bridge Railway Station A few moments later Howells stood in the doorway of the train, preventing the doors from closing, and shouted at other passengers that the driver was a 'paedo' who 'touches kids'. Howells then approached the same female worker again but when the driver stood in the way to protect her the defendant punched him in the side of the head, leaving him dizzy. ‌ Mr Jordan continued: "The driver went back to his cab. "He then observed the defendant punching and headbutting the window of the door. "The defendant jumped on to the tracks and walked off towards Sandwell and Dudley Station." ‌ The incident was reported to the railway signaller, who cancelled two further services, costing more than £79,000 to the network, the prosecutor said. Howells was eventually arrested. The next incident took place shortly after midnight on November 22. Mr Jordan said: "The defendant himself called an ambulance feeling the after effects of alcohol and cocaine consumption. ‌ "He had vomited as a result of an excess of them both." He told the court Howells was agitated and uncooperative with paramedics and then became further 'irritated' by a member of the public stopping and getting out of his car. Mr Jordan said: "The defendant pushed him and walked into his house. ‌ "He came out of the house brandishing a machete and he and an unknown Asian male who had a pole shouted to the member of the public and chased him down the road. "In the process of the chase the defendant struck him on the arm with the machete. Thankfully, no injuries were caused." Howells later issued a statement to police saying he had no recollection of the events, adding he used cannabis, was a heavy drinker and needed help with his mental health. ‌ Holly Sims, defending, confirmed he suffered from psychosis. She said: "He has benefited in custody (on remand), seeing the mental health team. "Of course, he has not been able to drink alcohol and consume drugs as well." Article continues below Howells must complete 25 days of rehabilitation activity and a six-month drug rehabilitation programme as part of his community order. Judge Simon Drew KC, passing sentence on April 11, said: "As I'm sure you are aware a combination of mental health issues combined with alcohol and drug consumption make you behave in ways that are unpredictable."