Russell Brand got an ex-schoolmate in trouble

Russell Brand got an ex-schoolmate in trouble with police because he was jealous of him.

The controversial comic has admitted he gave classmate Steve Reynolds' details when he was stopped by train inspectors for dodging rail fares 18 years ago.

Window cleaner Steve - who was 15 at the time - couldn't understand why police arrived at his house and accused him of not buying a ticket until he read Russell's confession in his autobiography 'My Booky Wook'.

Steve now claims Russell was envious of him because he was a hit with the girls at their school.

He said: "My identical twin Mark and I got a lot of attention from girls.

"Russell's fondness for ladies is well known, so maybe he's angry about that even now. But I won't hold a silly grudge."

Steve - who was quizzed twice by police before the case was dropped when rail staff didn't recognise him - was previously unaware of who had set him up and said it was a relief the case can finally be laid to rest.

He added: "It's great to have closure. But it's a surprise Russell didn't like me. My parents will be pleased I'm exonerated."