A SOLICITOR convicted of using threatening behaviour towards a train driver is being sued for damages by the man he abused.

And the union acting on behalf of the driver is also considering bringing civil proceedings against a detective constable - even though he was acquitted at court.

Magistrates' clerk Stephen Keith Hancock, (pictured) 33, of Alexandra Street, Ebbw Vale, who is a qualified solicitor, was fined £500 after being found guilty of using threatening behaviour. Hancock and Detective Constable Steven Hughes, 29, of North Street, Abergavenny, were cleared at Worcester crown court of endangering the safety of rail passengers and using racially-aggravated threatening words and behaviour towards driver Stuart Pritchard.

The conviction could signal the end of Hancock's legal career. After his conviction barrister Susan Ferrier told the court his bosses said he faced disciplinary action and could lose his job.

Hancock committed his offence after boarding the 21.50 Wales & West service at Cardiff to Hereford on November 11, 2000.

Mr Pritchard had told the court two two men hurled abuse at him and banged on the cabin door while the train was moving.

He added he had to leave his controls for a quarter of a mile, before bringing the train to an emergency stop near Pandy, Abergavenny.

Hancock has been suspended on full pay since he was summoned in September last year and will remain so until "internal processes" have been completed. Last night the union acting on his behalf, ASLEF (the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen) , confirmed it plans civil proceedings against Hancock for alleged stress caused to Mr Pritchard.

A spokesman said: "We are pursuing civil proceedings against the perpetrator (Hancock). And as you know after a not guilty verdict criminal proceedings will close but that does not mean a prosecution in a civil court cannot still be brought and there is a possibility the co-accused could be pursued."

The union hopes to being proceedings later this year.