A jury has been discharged in a case of a train passenger who was accused of pulling out a knife during a row over a surfboard.

Sean Monger denied having a knife in the incident outside Teignmouth Railway station in June, in which he remonstrated with surfer Jay Davidson.

Monger was unhappy because he believed he had been knocked by the boogie board as Mr Davidson got off the train and went to the concourse outside to wait to be picked up by his father.

CCTV showed him approaching Mr Davison as he loaded the board and a bag into the boot of his father’s car, but it was not clear enough to show what he was holding in his hand.

Monger, aged 49, of Maple Road, Exeter, denies making threats with a knife in the case at Exeter Crown Court.

He said Mr Davison and his father Adam had mistaken a spectacles case or a vaporiser spray for a knife.

Recorder Ms Elizabeth Bussey-Jones discharged the jury and set a fresh date for the trial in the new year after technical problems prevented Jay Davidson giving evidence.

He is currently staying in Gran Canaria and was due to give evidence by a video link, which failed.

Monger was released on bail.