A train security guard acted with reasonable force when he removed an “awkward” passenger who had insisted he was exempt from wearing a mask on medical grounds, magistrates decided.

Leon Shaw, aged 20, of Ger y Mynydd, Bangor, denied common assault on Luke Bryan, a welder, at Colwyn Bay railway station last August.

Mr Bryan insisted he was following government guidelines on the Transport for Wales service.

But Mr Shaw told the court at Llandudno that Mr Bryan was “very confrontational” and making it “as difficult as possible” to remove him.

He denied thrusting him across the platform. There was CCTV footage.

Deborah Davies, defending, said Mr Bryan had previous convictions for violence.

“It shows his attitude towards authority,” she claimed. “Mr Bryan was adamant he wasn’t getting off that train.”

Mr Shaw was cleared of the charge.