EXTENSIVE searches to locate a man who trespassed on the railway line in Bournemouth proved unsuccessful until he was found at a train station the following day.

Police officers and a helicopter responded to the incident near Bournemouth Railway Station in the early hours of July 19 after James Bowen had made his way onto the tracks.

It is not known how far he got on foot as he was not located and searches were called off.

However, the next day he was identified by staff at the station who recognised him and he was arrested.

Bowen, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and trespassing on the railway.

Appearing at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday, August 6, he received a suspended sentence with a judge warning him that unless he changes his ways he could spend the rest of his life in and out of prison.

Prosecuting, Victoria Hill said the defendant was at Bournemouth Railway Station just after 2.20am on July 19 when he shattered the glass of the station doors and threw bins on the floor.

“The police were contacted but the defendant, before they arrived, walked down the line towards Branksome train station,” said Ms Hill. “There was quite a bit of inconvenience caused to public services in trying to locate him.”

Mitigating, Todd Twine said the 29-year-old defendant has been homeless for the past three months and he has problems with alcohol and cannabis use.

“He cannot recall much about the incident because he says he was very heavily intoxicated,” said Mr Twine.

The court heard the defendant drinks alcohol every day and has not been engaging with his probation service supervisor following a prison term last year.

Deputy District Judge Roderick Hine said he had concerns that Bowen, who suffers from anxiety and depression, and has Autism spectrum disorder, will continue to waste police time.

“He is causing mindless damage because he is so drunk,” said the judge.

Addressing the defendant, he said: “You are in a cycle of helplessness and the only person who can do anything about it is you.”

The judge said the latest offences crossed the custody threshold due to Bowen’s recent record of similar crimes.

The defendant received an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, with a requirement to complete 20 rehabilitation activity days, alongside an order to pay £100 compensation, £128 surcharge and £85 costs.

If you are interested in court and crime news, stay up to date with all our latest updates in our dedicated Facebook group. To find out more and to join click here.