Railway trespasser jailed for three years
A MAN has been jailed for three years after breaching a restraining order that barred him from entering any property owned by the railway, British Transport Police reports.
Lucas Sanders-Drake, 57, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on July 3 to three years imprisonment for two counts of breaching his restraining order.
Sanders-Drake’s restraining order, which prohibited him from entering onto any property owned by the railway other than for lawful travel, had been placed following various trespass and obstruction offences in 2018 and 2019, resulting in a five-year restraining order being issued in February 2019, British Transport Police said.
Following a further breach, the restraining order was re-issued on 7 May 2020 and has now been extended to last until 2034 following the latest breaches.
The court heard how on Saturday 9 December, SandersDrake attended Exeter St Davids railway station twice, first at around 12.30am, and then again at 8.50pm.
On the first instance, he was taken to hospital by an ambulance after a member of staff reported concerns that Sanders-Drake was a danger to himself.
At the second instance, Sanders-Drake spoke to two members of rail staff claiming that he had been released from a local hospital and that he was told to lie down on the tracks and wait for the train to come by psychologists.
Police arrived and recognised Sanders-Drake as having a restraining order and he was taken into custody where his identity was verified.
He was then arrested on suspicion of breaching his restraining order.
Sanders-Drake had undergone mental health assessments on December 6, 7, and 9 after being released from prison on December 6. Medical professionals said that he was discharged and found not to need admission to hospital.
Investigating officer DS Gary Archer said: “I am very pleased with the result in this case. Sanders-Drake sought to cause disruption to the railway network and use up the time and resources of emergency services and healthcare professionals for his own selfish reasons.
“I hope that his time in prison allows him to reflect on his decision making.
“Trespassing on the railway network is not only disruptive, but can be incredibly dangerous and result in life changing injuries or even death.
“We will continue to do whatever we can to punish offenders and keep the network going.”