‘I was trying to control drunken mates’

Jan 21 2008 by Gavin O'Connor, South Wales Echo

WALES rugby star Gavin Henson has spoken for the first time about being arrested after his friends’ drunken antics on a train.

Henson, 25, was facing court proceedings after complaints from passengers on a London to Cardiff train about rowdy and abusive behaviour following the Ospreys’ 19-8 victory over Harlequins in the EDF Cup on December 2.

Charges against him were later dropped but his three friends – David Norman, 33, of Acland Road, Bridgend, Matthew Rhys Williams, 25, of Ty Wern, St Brides Major, and Jamie Mark Griffiths, 26, of Coed Gwyrof, Ogmore-By-Sea – were each fined £400 at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.

Henson insists he was trying to calm down his friends at the time and the fall- out from the event made him fear he would be frozen out from the national side.

“I spent most of the journey telling them not to swear, apologising to the other passengers, trying to keep the peace and signing autographs,” he said.

“I’d say 90 per cent of the carriage could see the predicament I was in.

“One or two complained to us and to the conductor, who said he had to inform the police.

“I stayed with my friends, partly because you don’t ditch your mates but also because I was controlling them to a degree.

“I was, once again, an easy target because of who I live with.

“My friends should have received a £60 on-the-spot fine. Instead, because it became high-profile, a court case was set.

“In the end, the case against me was thrown out because of no incriminating evidence.

“My friends have apologised to me since. It’s just typical, though. I had a great day on the pitch but then the day is marred first by breaking my hand, and then by the train incident.”

Henson said he boarded the train with his friends because he did not want to be on the team bus with jubilant team-mates after breaking his hand, but realised his error when they appeared in a drunken state.

He said: “In hindsight, I should have phoned the team bus and asked to be picked up the moment I realised how drunk my friends were.

“I’ve just got to learn to avoid these situations.”

Henson also revealed he and partner Charlotte Church were thinking about having more children to add to baby Ruby.

“Charlotte’s a great mum, she was born to be a mother,” he said.

“We both want at least three more kids, which means I’ll play rugby for a bit longer now, so that they can come and watch me. Coming home with a few troubles, and then seeing your daughter smile, is an amazing thing.”

gavin.o’connor@mediawales.co.uk