A STUDENT who was filmed being thrown off a train for apparently dodging his fare has claimed that he did have a ticket.

Sam Main, of Falkirk, said that he bought two single tickets because it was cheaper, but was given the wrong return ticket by a ScotRail worker at Polmont station.

The 19-year-old, who claims he was assaulted, was filmed being removed from the train by fellow passenger and finance manager Alan Pollock, who intervened in an argument between the youth and an elderly conductor.

The clip, which shows Mr Pollock grabbing the teenager by the scruff of the neck and forcing him off the train, was posted on YouTube and is now an internet sensation with more than a million views.

Mr Main said: "I bought a ticket but I was unable to use my railcard because it was before 10am. The conductor at Polmont station gave me one ticket and then gave me another one at a discounted price using my railcard.

"I got on the train and then I realised he had given me two Polmont to Edinburgh Park tickets.

"In my mind I knew that I would have to explain this to the conductor on the return journey and on the way home I started to explain why I had the wrong ticket. I was given no time to explain myself. It wasn't even an argument. There was a discussion with me trying to explain myself for about a minute and then the conductor started shouting at me."

He added that he never saw Mr Pollock coming.

He said: "I never seen his face, I never seen a man. He never approached me. He never said 'right son get off the train'.

"He grabbed me from behind, threw me to the ground on the train. Then picked me up off the ground on the train. Then threw me to the ground on the platform."

Mr Main added that he was in a bad mood that day because he is diabetic and had not eaten much all day.

He said: "There's no way anybody possibly, that's seen the video, can condone the way Alan Pollock chose to handle the situation. I was assaulted."

British Transport police have received a complaint of assault and are currently investigating the incident.

Alan Pollock's father, retired accountant Jim Pollock, said he brought his son up to know "right from wrong".

Mr Pollock, speaking at his home in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, insisted he would have "done the same thing" as his son if he was in his position.

Mr Pollock, who said he was in his 60s, said: "I have spoken to Alan and told him he did the right thing.

"It's totally unacceptable. As a family man I could never have allowed my kids to do that.

"I'm sure his father [Main's] would not be very proud of him. Not only is he cheating the system he's thieving off ScotRail.

"Do you turn your face the other way when something has happened, if somebody got stabbed in the street?

"It's very out of character for Alan. He must have been pushed to the limit. I was a wee bit disappointed no-one got up and helped him."