TRAINS in Hereford were severely delayed after a disgruntled passenger trespassed on the tracks.

David Paul Pace, 54, pleaded guilty to obstructing an engine from using the railway and obstructing police in the execution of their duty when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Nicola Ritchie, prosecuting, said Pace arrived at Hereford station after catching a train from Worcester at 1.25pm on July 17.

But he was unable to leave the station through the barriers as he did not have a ticket, and stepped off the platform to walk along the tracks instead.

A caution was put out across the rail network, and services were stopped while while police carried out a search for him.

Pace returned along the tracks to the station at 3.45pm, where he was arrested after causing the cancellation of one train, delays to 19 trains, and a total delay of 209 minutes to the network.

He then gave false details to the arresting officers, telling them his name was ‘David Williams’.

Paul Stanley, in defence, said epilepsy sufferer Pace was not sure why he had made the journey to Hereford.

“He thought he had bought a two-way ticket, but found it was a one way ticket and threw it away,” Mr Stanley said.

“He then had an argument with station staff and walked away. When he came back he was recognised by staff and gave the wrong name to a police officer, but when he was arrested he did then give them his real name.

“He is full of regret over this.”

Magistrates handed Pace a 12 month community order and a £50 fine. He was ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and a 12 month alcohol rehabilitation course.