Suspended sentence for man who caused more than £47k of delays to rail network – Lancaster

A man who caused almost £50k worth of delays after climbing onto tracks before going on the run has been sentenced following a British Transport Police investigation.

 

Shane Francis Lynch, aged 27, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to obstruction at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday 14 December.

 

The court heard how on 10 July this year Lynch was spotted by a train driver standing on the tracks at Bolton le Sands level crossing and applied the emergency brake.

Once the train came to a stop Lynch walked to the rear of the train and attempted to board it using the emergency door release handle and enter the crew entrance.

 

British Transport Police attended but Lynch vaulted a fence, landing back onto the tracks and ran from officers in the direction of Lancaster.  Officers followed the male who climbed through undergrowth and into a ditch to surrounding fields.  Lancashire Police were contacted to provide assistance and an emergency stop was put on the West Coast Mainline resulting in just over £47,000 worth of delays, until Lynch could be safely located.

 

 

Following a call from a member of the public Lynch was found nearby and arrested.

 

 

Investigating officer PC Ben Griffiths said: “Lynch’s irrational and dangerous actions caused a standstill on the west coast mainline resulting in a cost to the network of almost £50,000,

“Not only this but passengers were significantly delayed impacting their lives and causing huge inconvenience.

“It remains unclear why Lynch decided to walk on the tracks before attempting to board the train.”