Drunk disrupts train services

Drunk disrupts train services

People were evacuated from a platform

More than a dozen trains were delayed after a drunk man punched a hole in the roof of an Edinburgh railway station and threatened to jump, a court heard.

More than 300 people were evacuated from a platform at Waverley Station, which was busy with rugby fans.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told that the disruption lasted almost an hour.

Fifteen train services were delayed, costing rail companies £4,500.

Stephen Allan, 36, of Lochview Court, Dumbiedykes Road, Edinburgh, admitted committing a breach of the peace at the station on 8 March this year and damaging two roof panels.

'Block out memory'

He was placed on probation for 18 months and ordered to pay £1,500 compensation.

Defence agent Roy Harley said his client suffered from a borderline personality disorder which was exacerbated when he drank alcohol.

"His recollection of this incident is simply he had been drinking to block out memory of his wife and found himself on the roof of Waverley Station," said Mr Harley.

"He recollects saying he was going to jump if people didn't talk to him properly. He accepts he had been drinking."

It was obvious he had consumed alcohol

Procurator fiscal John Barclay

Procurator fiscal John Barclay said the station had been extremely busy at the time of the incident, which took place on the same day as a rugby international between Scotland and Wales.

At about 2230 GMT a police officer heard banging sounds from the roof.

He looked up to see that a man had punched a hole in the toughened safety glass.

Allan had a belt round his neck and was leaning through the window, shouting that he was going to jump.

Mr Barclay said about 300 people were evacuated from platform 14, while two other platforms were also closed off.

Police negotiators were called in and eventually talked Allan down.

"It was obvious he had consumed alcohol," added the fiscal.