Shocking moment pensioner ‘puts young boy into arm lock after he refused to take his feet off seat on train’
British Transport Police and Northern Rail are probing the incident
THIS shocking photo shows the moment a pensioner appears to put a young boy in an armlock.
He allegedly assaulted the boy after the youngster refused to take his feet of the seat in the train.
Northern Rail and British Transport Police are investigating the incident, that took place on Friday on the Clitheroe to Manchester Victoria service.
Three boys, thought to be aged between eight and 11, boarded the train at Bolton around lunchtime and were travelling unaccompanied.
A disagreement took place between them and a man, believed to be in his 70s, who approached them and asked them to take their feet down from the seat.
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One student, who was sitting behind the boys, said the man told them to put their feet down and they refused.
“They were being quite cocky.” he said.
“He threatened them with a ‘clip around the ear’ and then went and sat back down.
“The children then put their feet back up and wouldn’t take them down.
“The guy then went over again and tried to take their feet down.”
It is at this point that the man is alleged to have put one of the boys into an arm lock.
A photo of the incident – taken by one of the other boys – has been shared on social media.
The student said the incident was reported to the company who he says handled the situation poorly.
Twitter user @Szy_Sefton witnessed the incident.
She told: “Kids were badly behaved and no parents but only about 8 to 10yrs - 3 boys.
“Man acted like US cop.
“Kid crying.”
She also said a woman repeatedly told the man to stop, and the boys then stayed with the woman until they reached the gate and were met by Northern Rail staff.
A spokesman for Northern Rail said: “We are currently investigating this incident.
“Because of this, it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to comment at this time.”
BTP confirmed on Twitter it is investigating the incident.
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