A sex offender was forced off a train after allegedly being bullied and verbally abused by fellow prisoners, the High Court heard.

Details emerged as one of the suspected abusers failed in a legal challenge to the withdrawal of enhanced regime status at HMP Magilligan over the incident.

A judge rejected John O'Rawe's claims that he has suffered procedural unfairness and delay while an internal probe is carried out.

O'Rawe, who is serving a sentence for possession of class A drugs, was named by a sex offender, identified as ‘G’, as having targeted him. He denies the claim.

They were on the Coleraine to Belfast train for Christmas home leave when the incident happened on December 23 last year.

The court heard that G got off at Cullybackey station and waited for the next train because he feared for his safety.

Other passengers were said to have been informed of his status.

O'Rawe was later taken out of the Foyleview resettlement unit at Magilligan which houses prisoners nearing the end of their sentences.

Dismissing the judicial review challenge, Mr Justice Treacy said: “The applicant has not persuaded me there has been any breach to the requirements of procedural fairness, or any vitiating delay in the investigation.”