TEENAGER Emma Cox slapped a rail worker after he shut the door of a train she was considering getting on.

The 19-year-old, of Swan Lane, Stroud, who is expecting a child in three weeks, pleaded guilty to assault at Stroud Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Andrew Walters, prosecuting, said the victim was on duty in the ticket office when the defendant came in with two men.

"They asked about cheap day tickets to Swindon," he said.

"He advised them but they became uncertain whether they wanted to buy the tickets or not.

"One of his duties is to check whether the doors are shut - he was carrying out this duty when he saw the defendant holding the door open.

"He asked her twice to close the door because the train was running late but she continued to hold it open.

"He himself began to close the door and as he did she turned towards him and slapped him on the left side of his face.

"The defendant and two males then got onto the train - he reported the incident to the police and they spoke to a member of staff who detained the defendant."

Cox committed the offence while under a community order imposed two weeks ago for a similar offence of assault.

Nicola Berryman, for the defence, said Cox insisted she was pushed by the rail worker.

"She doesn't put this forward as justification but simply as an explanation," she told magistrates.

"She thought this was rough treatment."

Magistrates gave her a 12-month community order to run concurrently with the existing one.

She was also ordered to pay £75 compensation and £60 costs.