A QUAKERS fan lifted a boulder over his head because people were "chewing him" on a train, a court heard.

Sam Hickman, 20, was spotted with the boulder by British Transport Police (BTP) after travelling from Darlington FC's semi final FA Trophy game against Gateshead on March 19.

Alison Nunn, prosecuting, told Darlington magistrates: "The BTP received calls about groups causing trouble on the trains on their way into Darlington.

"They arrived at the station at around 7.10pm and saw one of the groups get off. Mr Hickman was seen picking the boulder, which was the size of a football, above his head.

"When he was spoken to, he said that a group of males had been chewing him on the train so he picked the rock up to protect himself."

Hickman, of Sutcliffe Court, Darlington, admitted unacceptable behaviour on the railway and accepted the prosecution's account as fair.

He said he was not drunk, although he had been drinking throughout the day, but got fed up after he was verbally abused.

Hickman was given a sixmonth conditional discharge and ordered to pay £40 costs.