A MAN with drink and drug issues caused a near £100,000 loss to rail companies when he wandered down the main East Coast line, in mid-afternoon, delaying services, a court heard.

Jason Storey was seen walking onto the viaduct from a platform at Durham Railway Station, at 3.20pm on August 8.

Penny Bottomley, prosecuting, said British Transport Police considered it unsafe to follow, due to the 150ft drop to the road below, and it was not until 4.50pm that Storey was found in a nearby street having fallen down the embankment at the end of the viaduct.

He told police he had drunk ten cans of lager and three bottles of sparkling perry, as well as taking 2g of heroin.

Storey, 44, of West Street, Grange Villa, near Chester-le-Street, admitted trespass on the railway line.

The court heard he had suicidal “thoughts” in his drunken state that day, but he did not take it any further.

Passing a 12-month prison sentence, with a four-month deduction due to his guilty plea, Judge Christopher Prince told Storey it would enable him to continue to work with agencies on hand in a custodial setting to address his substance and mental health difficulties.