Video shows police spraying man with pepper spray on North West train after he refuses to wear face mask

Police were called onboard a Merseyrail service to Liverpool Lime Street at 3.20pm on Wednesday (September 2) after train staff reported the man for not wearing a face covering.

A heated exchange of words soon escalated into a full-blow fracas as an officer physically tried to remove the man from the train.

The incident was filmed by another passenger and has been widely shared on social media, where it has been viewed 1.4 million times in less than 48 hours.

In the alarming footage, the man can be heard telling the officer that he "does not need to wear a mask" as he refuses to leave the train or cooperate with police.

A struggle then ensues with the officer saying, "I'll spray you mate" as the man continues to resist. The officer then sprays pepper or PAVA spray into the man's face before handcuffing him.

The man can then be heard telling the officer that he has a 'medical condition' as the struggle continues and the video cuts out.

British Transport Police (BTP) responded to the video after it was posted on Twitter, saying: "We are aware of this video being shared on social media. Officers were called to reports of a man spitting at two passengers (2/9/2020). A man has now been charged with a public order offence and assaulting an emergency worker."

The video does not show the man spitting at passengers nor does the officer mention the offence whilst dealing with the man. British Transport Police has since released a new statement, which instead says the man had allegedly 'coughed' at two passengers.

The man has not been fined for breaching the rule on face coverings, despite police having the power to fine anyone who refuses to wear a mask in a shop or on public transport.

Instead, the man has been charged with a public order offence and assaulting a police officer.

A BTP spokesman said: "A man has been charged with threatening behaviour and assaulting a police officer on a Merseyrail train to Liverpool Lime Street station.

"The incident happened at around 3.20pm on Wednesday, September 2.

"Officers had responded to a report of a man coughing at two passengers.

"Anthony Baldwin, 34, of Hawthorn Road, Little Sutton, will appear at Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 6, 2021."

Since June 15, face coverings have been mandatory for those using public transport in England, and those who do not comply face a £100 fine.