The president of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce has appeared in court after using threatening and abusive behaviour on board a train.

Simon Topman, who is managing director of The Acme Whistle Co Ltd, was found guilty at Coventry Magistrates Court.

The court heard that on June 16 the businessman was on board the Virgin service between Wolverhampton and Euston when he became upset by what he regarded as a dirty table.

Magistrates were told that Topman asked members of staff on board to clean the table and subsequently grabbed one and was verbally abusive.

Read the full story in the Express & StarThe president of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce has appeared in court after using threatening and abusive behaviour on board a train.

Simon Topman, who is managing director of The Acme Whistle Co Ltd, was found guilty at Coventry Magistrates Court.

The court heard that on June 16 the businessman was on board the Virgin service between Wolverhampton and Euston when he became upset by what he regarded as a dirty table.

Magistrates were told that Topman asked members of staff on board to clean the table and subsequently grabbed one and was verbally abusive.At Coventry he was removed from the train and interviewed by British Transport Police who later charged him with threatening and abusive behaviour.

Two first-class customers and the train manager gave evidence in court.

Topman admitted in court that he had over-reacted but said he had not committed a criminal offence.

The court disagreed and handed down a six-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £450 costs.