ScotRail conductor back to work after YouTube ticket dispute

By ALASTAIR DALTON
Published on Saturday 4 February 2012 00:22

THE identity of the train conductor involved in a fare row with a passenger which became an internet sensation has been revealed by ScotRail as he returned to work.

Alan Mitchell, 63, is believed to have been off sick since the incident nearly two months ago in which he was filmed remonstrating with a student alleged to not have a valid ticket.

ScotRail released details and photographs of the conductor yesterday in an apparent attempt to prevent any potential harassment by passengers.

A two-minute video, filmed by a passenger and watched more than two million times on YouTube, shows Mr Mitchell in a dispute with 19-year-old Sam Main over an alleged unpaid fare before he was removed from the train by another passenger.

The incident happened on the 9:33pm Edinburgh-Perth train at Linlithgow on 9 December.

British Transport Police said a man had been charged over an alleged assault in connection with the incident.

Alan Pollock, 35, from Stirling, was named as the man who allegedly removed Mr Main from the train at Linlithgow station.

He has been subsequently dubbed “the Big Man”.

Mr Main, from Falkirk, was not charged but was reported to the procurator fiscal for allegedly breaking the Criminal Justice and Licensing Scotland Act (2010) which relates to threatening or abusive behaviour.

He was also reported for alleged trespass.

The Crown Office said the case remained under consideration.

Mr Mitchell, who has worked on the railways across Scotland for 37 years, is understood to have initially taken time off work after the incident, then went on sick leave.

In a statement issued by ScotRail, the conductor said: “I have always wanted to return to duties.

“Railways are my hobby as well as my job.

“I never get that Monday morning feeling and I’m delighted to be back. I really like my work.”

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Comments

There are 9 comments to this article

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9

Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:56 PM

Please stop feeding the troll.

8

username

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12:09 PM

#2 He was asked if he wanted the yob off the train and said he did. That could only represent 'instrumental in instructing instigating' (whatever that means) an assault in a parallel universe.

7

The Genuine Mario Antionette

Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 10:31 PM

#5 - Also, please note that #2 was not a question. If you had bothered to read it properly, you would have understood this & not made such an inane comment.

6

The Genuine Mario Antionette

Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 10:26 PM

#5 - I think you are trying to be too smart.You seem to have made up an answer to your own question, probably because you can't understand plain English. I have never said "I don't understand" - can't & don't have separate meanings, they are different words. As you say, I simply don't understand people who can't read, but deem themselves able to criticise the very subject that they haven't understood !

5

Lawfield

Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 07:44 AM

Mario ... I think you have answered your own question. As you say, you simply don't understand.

4

The Genuine Mario Antionette

Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 03:20 AM

Shame on you Mr. Mitchell for posing smiling for photographs, when, despite all your 37 years training & experience, your failure to act in a proper & diligent manner has resulted in two passengers under your care being involved in an incident of assault. Scotrail, what are you playing at ?

3

The Genuine Mario Antionette

Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 03:06 AM

#1 - Hopefully, the "Big Man" will face the music & get his just desserts. He used his bulk & physique to intimidate, assault & bully another person. In a civilised society, no matter what size you are, you should not raise your hands to another. If the "size" difference was the other way around, the "Big Man" would have remained meekly in his seat.

2

The Genuine Mario Antionette

Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 02:54 AM

Can't understand why he has not been charged - after all, he clearly was instrumental in instructing instigating someone to carry out an assault.

1

Dedicated Partick Thistle Supporter from the 60s

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 10:04 PM

Welcome back...and hopefully "the big man" will be exonorated. As for the other individual, he should consider an apology for his parents obvious lack of discipline towards him in his upbringing.

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