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\n\t\tThe man was \u2018lucky to be alive\u2019 after leading officers on a chase along the high-voltage tracks before climbing a gantry (Picture: PA)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tThe man was \u2018lucky to be alive\u2019 after leading officers on a chase along the high-voltage tracks before climbing a gantry (Picture: PA)<\/p>\n
A trespasser who caused almost \u00a31 million worth of disruption to trains in south London is \u2018lucky to be alive\u2019 after a chase down the tracks. <\/p>\n
Ashley Cox, 35, from Holmes Chapel, Cheshire<\/a> East, wreaked havoc on a railway line between Gatwick<\/a> and Victoria station after climbing on the tracks last summer<\/a>. <\/p>\n He entered the railway line, which is illegal, at Wandsworth Common station in south London<\/a> on August 12 last year. <\/p>\n The disruption caused by his actions amounted to almost \u00a31 million and hit thousands of passengers as journeys were delayed or cancelled at rush hour. <\/p>\n Cox slipped to the tracks at the station at about 3.10pm before taking police officers on a dangerous chase along the high-voltage tracks. <\/p>\n He tried to escape from the officers by climbing a gantry over the tracks. <\/p>\n After two hours clinging to the structure, he came down and was arrested. <\/p>\n BTP Sergeant Mike Overington said: \u2018BTP\u2019s specialist teams investigate trespass and interference with railway infrastructure, and we\u2019ll always use the legislation at our disposal to push for prosecution for behaviour that puts the safety of passengers and staff at risk.<\/p>\n \u2018The consequences of Cox\u2019s actions were felt by thousands of people, and this outcome sends a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.\u2019<\/p>\n Cox appeared at Westminster Magistrates\u2019 Court on April 2, where he was sentenced to five months\u2019 imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.<\/p>\n He was found guilty of interference with use or operation of key national infrastructure, under Section 7 of the Public Order Act 2003.<\/p>\n Paul Langley, Head of Security, Crime<\/a> and Resilience at Network Rail<\/a>, said:\u00a0\u2018Trespassing on the railway is incredibly dangerous. <\/p>\n \u2018Trains in the south east are powered by the electric third rail, which carries 750 volts and is easily enough to kill or cause devastating life-changing injuries.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tLatest London news\t\t\t<\/p>\n To get the latest news from the capital, visit Metro’s London news hub<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018We hope this sentence sends a message that trespassing on the railway will not be tolerated. <\/p>\n \u2018Ashley Cox is lucky to be walking away with a suspended sentence as it could have ended in tragedy.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018Incidents like this are a stark reminder of how quickly things can go wrong, and why we always take trespass so seriously.\u2019<\/p>\n Jenny Saunders, Customer Service Director for GTR, which runs Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services, added:\u00a0\u2018We work hard every day to keep people safe and trains running. Ashley Cox\u2019s actions not only put his own life at risk, but caused huge disruption for thousands of passengers trying to get home, or to see friends and family.\u2019<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow
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