Scotrail no ticket fallout: I’d paid fare, says Big Man ‘victim’

A TEENAGER bundled off a train by another passenger because he apparently did not have a ticket claims he was “assaulted” and insists he had paid his fare.

A video of a man muscling 19-year-old Sam Main off the train has become an internet hit, with more than a million people viewing it online.

Alan Pollock, who has since been dubbed “the Big Man”, could now face investigation for his actions after a complaint was made to British Transport Police.

And Mr Main, from Falkirk, yesterday said he was the innocent party in the incident.

“In the morning I got a ticket from Polmont to Edinburgh Park before 10am, so I wasn’t able to use my Railcard to get a return,” he said.

“The guy sold me two singles but they were both for Polmont to Edinburgh.

“I didn’t realise until later, but I thought I’d be able to explain what happened to the conductor on the train.

“I was on my way home from my second exam when it happened. I’m diabetic and hadn’t eaten all day so I was just desperate to get home.

“I wasn’t given a chance to explain the ticket situation. The conductor just immediately said: ‘That’s the wrong ticket. Off!’

“I didn’t even see the other guy coming. He lifted me up from behind and all I could see was chairs and the floor. He chucked me off and I landed right on my face. I tried to get back on to get my bag but I was shoved off again. I did get my bag back after that though.

“I ended up getting a taxi back to Falkirk. It cost me £20. I did have money to buy another ticket but I wasn’t given the option.”

He added: “I’ve probably spent thousands of pounds on rail travel. I normally use a season ticket, but when the exams are on I just buy a ticket on the day.

“I did pay for my fare, I just didn’t get a chance to tell the conductor what happened.”

When asked how he felt about other passengers applauding the incident, Mr Main shook his head and said: “I don’t know. I don’t want to give my opinion about any of it. I just wanted to tell my side of the story.”

Mr Main is in his second year, studying building and surveying at Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University. He was thrown off the train at Linlithgow station.

The incident, which was captured on video by another passenger, has become an internet sensation on YouTube.

The video starts with the conductor asking Mr Main to leave, telling him: “I can sit here all night. I’m getting paid for this but these folk will start moaning: not at me, at you. Why should they pay and you no?”

The student swears and says he has paid, but is told he only has a single ticket for the other direction.

Mr Pollock, a 30-year-old father-of-three from Stirling who works as a performance manager with financial firm BlackRock in Edinburgh, then steps in and asks the conductor: “Do you want me to get him off for you?”

He appears to grab the young man by the shoulders and moves him to the door and on to the platform.

Mr Main tries to get back on the train but the man bars his way. Fellow passengers applaud as he returns to his seat.

It is understood that another five minutes of footage exists of the start of the incident, which catalogues the events that led up to the YouTube video.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: “We have received a complaint of assault.

“We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and our inquiries are ongoing.”

Last night, a ScotRail spokesman said: “The conductor, who is on annual leave, is co-operating fully with ongoing inquiries by the company and British Transport Police.”