A mum has praised a 'heroic' stranger who stepped in to confront an 'aggressive' passenger shouting and swearing in front of her young child during a train journey.
Kerry Hilton, 31, was travelling with her four-year old daughter Poppy, and partner John Parry, 32, just after 6pm on Saturday, January 22, according to the Liverpool Echo.
However, during the Liverpool to Ellemsere Port service, a fellow passenger - who Kelly estimated to to be in his 50s - became embroiled in an argument with his partner.
The Bromborough mum said: "He was swearing a lot and getting aggressive in front of our four-year old.
"The guy who was swearing was an older guy, who was clearly intoxicated. The nice guy politely told him that there was a child and could he watch his language. The drunk guy got verbally aggressive and his language was atrocious.
"The woman he was with kept telling him to shut up and sit down. She even said 'I have this five days a week, I don't need it on a Saturday.'
"That's when the three bylaw enforcement officers arrived on the scene. The nice guy who had our backs was agitated after he very valiantly stood up for us and he got caught on CCTV with a foot on the seat.
"I told the bylaw officers it wasn't fair as he was het up defending our daughter and they then threw the aggressive guy off the train at the next stop."
Kerry added: "I just don't think it's fair that someone could have been penalised after such a kind and heroic act.
"I did what I could to stick up for the guy who had our backs but the officers just said 'well he broke a bylaw.'
"I understand they were doing their jobs but this guy had just committed such a brave act and it's like bad karma.
"We got off at the next stop and thanked him for standing up for us. We are so grateful for his actions. This guy deserved a massive pat on the back, not being threatened with a fine.
"It was a really upsetting situation and it shouldn't have happened.
"A lovely young girl went and sat with the nasty man's partner after he walked away, to see if she was okay. I think she deserves a mention also."
Kerry added: "My daughter was poorly and she was a little confused and scared by the man who was swearing. I've never seen someone be so brave and stand up for what's right.
"He did a good thing and then something rubbish happened.
"I don't feel like we thanked him enough. I think kindness should be rewarded. We were all shook up."
It is understood bylaw enforcement officers were speaking to the man, who had his feet on the seat, when they were alerted to the man who was behaving antisocially. No penalty fine was issued.
Greg Suligowski, head of communications at Merseyrail said: "On Saturday, January 22, byelaw enforcement officers were alerted to a passenger acting in an antisocial manner whilst conducting a routine patrol of our network.
"A passenger was subsequently removed from the train. We can confirm that no penalty was issued to any other passenger involved in this incident."
Merseyrail has clearly advertised bylaws in place, meaning that customers that do put their feet on seats or the seat structure can be approached by the enforcement team and issued with a fine of up to £60.
Passengers are told about this before they travel via posters at stations and again whilst onboard via posters and passenger announcements.
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