A train passenger allegedly caught on film threatening and abusing two young women on a train is a former teen football star.
Electrician Elijah Chilekwa, 27, was filmed allegedly shouting abuse at the women, who he did not know, after they reportedly declined to say who they found most attractive out of himself and the two friends he was travelling with.
Chilekwa, who previously played for Wales U19s football team with one international goal to his name, is said to have told the women: ‘I’ll kill you. I’ll kill your boyfriend. I’ll follow you. I’ll follow you to your house. I’ll follow you to your boyfriend’s house, I’ll kill your boyfriend. Whatever bro.’
He was reportedly then seen further harassing the women before allegedly throwing chewing gum at a third, leaving her in tears.
The awful clip, which was filmed earlier this month on a train from Cardiff to Swindon, went viral on social media.
Chilekwa, who is about to become a father with his girlfriend of eight years, has since been arrested by the British Transport Police.
Despite his behaviour, Chilekwa’s girlfriend has claimed he was simply ‘drunk’ and ‘his intention wasn’t to threaten them.’
During the outburst, filmed by one of the victims, two friends travelling with Elijah were heard attempting to calm the situation, telling him: ‘What are you doing bruv?’
Electrician Elijah Chilekwa, 27, was filmed allegedly shouting abuse at two young women on a train from Cardiff to Swindon
The 27-year-old reportedly shouted at the woman ‘I’ll kill you’ and ‘I’ll follow you to your boyfriend’s house, I’ll kill your boyfriend’
The former Wales footballer is now an electrician and was filmed on the train earlier this month
Chilekwa went on to shout: ‘If those two girls want to move, you can go. I’m not going to f***ing stop you from going.’
As his friends tell him he is ’embarrassing’ them, he continues: ‘I ain’t embarrassing no-one. You two move then.’
His friends then attempt to persuade Elijah to move to another seat away from the women, before telling him to ‘shut up’ to no avail.
One of his friends said: ‘I can’t believe what you’re doing.’
But speaking to MailOnline, Chilekwa’s girlfriend of eight years Niamh James, 23, who is seven months pregnant, claimed her partner later apologised.
Ms James said: ‘What he said was disgusting and both he and I have spoken to the girls to apologise.
‘His intention was not to threaten them, he was just drunk and being a fool. It’s out of character. He’s sorry and it will be dealt with by the courts.’
She added Chilekwa has suffered a huge backlash since the video was put on social media, including racist and homophobic abuse.
Some social media users praised Chilekwa’s friends for trying to stop him as they told him he was ’embarrasing’ them and himself
The firm where Chilekwa works, Brighter Green Engineering Ltd, has been made aware of the incident, MailOnline understands, with his company said to be ‘supportive’ of the former footballer
The former footballer even began arguing with his friends as they suggested he should move and ‘shut up’
Chilekwa played for Wales’ U19s team and scored an international goal
She said: ‘Someone said [to me] I can’t believe you’re having a baby with him.
‘He’s had racist messages, people saying black lives matter, some of the things are worse than what Elijah said.
‘There were even homophobic comments and he’s not gay.’
She added: ‘This is being dealt with by the BTP. Due to this we can’t discuss any further.’
The firm where Chilekwa works, Brighter Green Engineering Ltd, has been made aware of the incident, MailOnline understands, with his company said to be ‘supportive’ of the former footballer.
As well as previously playing for Wales, Chilekwa played as a right winger at Bristol City before being signed at Worcester City.
A BTP spokesperson previously told MailOnline: ‘There is absolutely no place for violent or intimidating behaviour on the railway network, and we encourage the victim or anyone who witnessed the incident to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 271 of May 18.
‘You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.’
