A fare dodger climbed on to the tracks after being booed by other passengers, a court heard today.
Eli Cox, 38, now has a warrant out for his arrest after failing to turn up to court this morning to answer a charge of obstructing the railway.
Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard he was travelling on a train between Lewes and Brighton on a Saturday afternoon when he was asked to produce his ticket at Falmer.
When he couldn’t, he was asked to get off the train – but refused.
Prosecuting, Amy Fraser said: “He was asked to leave the train because he didn’t have a ticket and all the customers started to boo him.
“He did get off the train, but on to the tracks.”
The alleged offence happened on Saturday 21 September last year at about 4.30pm.
At 4.38pm, Southern Rail tweeted: “Power to the track has been turned off to ensure everyone’s safety – this does mean no trains will run between Brighton and Lewes in either direction until further notice.”
According to the National Rail website, trains began running again at about 6.10pm.
