Homeless man coaxed down from Mansfield railway bridge by police

Dennis Fairbanks was in a “precarious position” and “significant danger” and two officers were delayed by torrential rain before arriving at the bridge, on October 23, at about 8.45pm.

Sarah Holland, prosecuting, said roads had to be closed and two trains were halted for 45 minutes before Fairbanks, who was dishevelled from sleeping rough, stumbled down the embankment.

He said he was planning to end his own life and when they got him into the car, he jumped out again.

Fairbanks, aged 29, tried to bang his head on the pavement a number of times.

The officers were concerned about him and coerced him back into the car before getting him a hot meal from a takeaway.

They tried to find him a place at a homeless shelter, but there were no vacancies.

The court heard he has 35 previous convictions for 59 offences, but nothing of a similar nature.

Ms Holland said the railway company seeks £568 in compensation, while the maximum penalty for trespassing on railway property is a month in prison.

Abbie Edwards, mitigating, said Fairbanks, who admitted the offence, has been street homeless for the last 10 years.

“He was able to cope reasonably-well because he was in a long-term relationship with a woman who was also homeless,” she said.

But that relationship ended when they lost their unborn baby, she told the court. And Fairbanks lost all his benefits, because they were paid into his partner’s bank account.

“All his clothes and bedding were wet through because of the incessant rain and he was hungry,” Ms Edwards said.

“He didn't give much thought to how his actions would affect rail users but he does recognise the disruption he caused and apologises.”

She said he spent 38 hours in custody before appearing in a remand court where he was bailed on condition he signs on at the police station every day.

Fairbanks was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £26 towards the compensation.