Fine for Henson's train friends

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Three friends of Wales rugby star Gavin Henson have each been fined £400 after admitting being disorderly on a train.

The journey from Reading to Cardiff on 2 December was a "complete nightmare", Cardiff magistrates heard.

The men, travelling in first class with Mr Henson after he played an Ospreys match, were abusive to passengers and one vomited over himself.

A case against Mr Henson was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service on Friday because of insufficient evidence.

Jamie Griffiths, 26, and David Norman, 33, both of Bridgend and Matthew Williams, 25, of Wick were each fined £400 with £75 costs by magistrates for their behaviour on the train.

The court heard they swore many times during the two-hour journey and were abusive to other passengers.

They had been returning after watching Mr Henson, 25, give a man-of-the-match performance against Harlequins.

One woman was called "fat" when she confronted them and Griffiths had vomited on himself.

Prosecutor Helen Gambrill told the court: "One passenger described the journey as a complete nightmare.

They were deeply shocked by their own behaviour Charles Hayes, defending

"Teacher Melody Jones confronted the group and said they were all drunk and menacing.

"Another witness described how Griffiths vomited over himself during the journey and was swearing loudly."

They also ignored "several requests" from train manager Nicola Osmond to behave properly, said Ms Gambrill.

Another passenger had been concerned about the effect of their behaviour on her two daughters, aged 12 and 15, who were also in the carriage, the court heard.

All the group were in a first class carriage but were ejected to second class after refusing to pay for an upgrade, the magistrates were told.

Giles Hayes, defending said all three men realised their behaviour was "socially unacceptable".

"Due to their intoxicated state they do not have a great recollection of what occurred until witness statements were put to them by police," he said.

It is difficult to have sympathy with any of you John Charles, district judge

"To say they were distressed would be an understatement. They were deeply shocked by their own behaviour."

He said Griffiths had resigned from the British Transport Police, where he worked as a supervisor in the administrative department, since being charged.

The three boarded the train at Reading after the match.

Henson joined the three for the journey home after his team-mates caught a coach back to Wales.

Ms Gambrill said: "They had been drinking during the day and came onto the train carrying bottles of beer.

"The train manager heard them swearing and asked them to stop using foul language."

Griffiths, Norman and Williams admitted disorderly conduct and using abusive, insulting words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress.

District judge John Charles said: "I accept the three of you are remorseful. But it is difficult to have sympathy with any of you.

"Your drunkenness wasn't to the extent that you didn't know what you were doing. Between Newport and Cardiff you commenced a clean-up operation."

The court was told a similar charge against Mr Henson had been dropped.

The Crown Prosecution Service said before the case: "It has been decided that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction."