A TEENAGER who a stabbed a ticket inspector has been jailed for four years.

17-year-old Robert Culley and his brother, Charles, 19, attacked the man and a colleague when they asked them to leave a c2c train.

The teens boarded the 8.20pm Southend Central to Fenchurch Street service on Friday, December 16 without tickets.

As the train pulled into East Tilbury, an altercation between the four men broke out with one inspector being punched in the face, while Robert stabbed the man in his left armpit with the four-inch blade.

The pair - both of Darwin Road, Tilbury - were sentenced at Basildon Crown Court yesterday today with Robert, who had earlier pleaded guilty to wounding and possession of a bladed article, receiving four-year and two-year detention orders, set to run concurrently.

Charles Culley, who had pleaded guilty to common assault, was given a four-month detention and training order.

FULL STORY AND INTERVIEW IN TOMORROW'S ECHO