Drunk man had to be restrained on railway track

A MAN had to be restrained by members of the public after he was seen on railway tracks trying to pick up money while under the influence of alcohol.

Samuel Richard Billanie, of Brewery Road, Carmarthen was spotted on the tracks at Llanelli on November 3.

The 24 year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of entering onto the railway while unfit, as a result of being in a state of intoxication.

Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said: “Police officers were called at 9.30am to the railway tracks and a male was being restrained by members of the public as he had been trying to pick up money off the tracks.

“He was in an intoxicated state and couldn’t stand on his own and had fallen over. “

Billanie was not represented by a defence solicitor at the court.

When asked by district judge Christopher James about what he wanted to say about the offence Billanie said: “Obviously I was drunk yeah...erm yeah.”

He gave no further explanation for his actions or behaviour on the day in question.

The court heard Billanie was in breach of a 15-month conditional discharge given to him by the courts in September for a similar offence of being drunk and disorderly.

That offence had occurred in Carmarthen on August 24 and he was dealt with by Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on September 21.

Sentencing Billanie, district judge James fined him £80 for entering onto the railway while intoxicated.

He was also told to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £30.

There was no penalty for the breach of the conditional discharge.

Find out more online at... walesonline.co.uk/ llanelli