Man who caused havoc at Romford station given 15 month prison sentence
Romford station. - Credit: Archant
A man who climbed the gantry at Romford station and cost the railway hundreds of thousands of pounds has been sentenced following a British Transport Police investigation.
A man who climbed the gantry at Romford station and cost the railway hundreds of thousands of pounds has been sentenced following a British Transport Police investigation.
The man appeared before Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, February 12 where he was sentenced.
According to BTP, he was handed a 15 month prison sentence, suspended for two years and a five year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
In July last year, the man climbed a gantry at Romford station, which forced all trains in the area to be stopped while officers responded and removed him from the gantry.
The incident took place shortly after 6.20pm.
As a result of the man’s behaviour, multiple trains were extensively delayed, and cost Network Rail more than £230,000 in compensation payments to train operating companies.
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He was later charged with one count of obstructing the railway, he pleaded guilty at the same court.
He was also ordered to attend a 30 day rehabilitation requirement.
The conditions of his CBO forbids him from the following:
• Entering any railway station or alighting any train within England and Wales whilst under the influence of any intoxicating substance or liquor such as to cause harassment, alarm or distress to another individual.
• Going to any London Underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) or Main Line Railway premises save for the purpose of travelling.
• Trespassing on any Railway Track or entering any area on Railway Stations in England or Wales which are not open to the public
Insp Steve Webster from British Transport Police, said: “His obstructive and infuriating behaviour that night meant thousands of commuters had a miserable journey.
“I completely welcome the sentence handed to him, I hope he sticks to the conditions in his CBO, if he doesn’t then my officers will be quick to arrest him again.
“Railway disruption is not a victimless crime, not only does it create havoc for commuters, it costs the rail industry millions each year.
“This sentence should act as a strong deterrent to anyone thinking of trespassing onto the railway.”
