A MAN who broke into a railway station boiler room to keep warm when he realised that he was too late to catch a train home has been convicted of causing criminal damage.

Jonathan Hayden, of Sycamore Road, Tolladine, Worcester, admitted criminal damage when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester.

The court heard how the 42-year-old caused £100 of damage to a boiler room door at Hereford railway station, owned by Arriva Trains Wales, when he discovered that there were no trains home after celebrating New Year’s Eve.

Samantha Webley, prosecuting, said Hayden was discovered asleep on the floor of the boiler room at 8.50am on New Year’s Day by a customer service assistant arriving for duty.

Mrs Webley said: “He had gone into the boiler room to keep warm because there were no trains running at that time. He had gone to Hereford drinking with friends. “He said he had tried to cause as little damage to the door as possible and is described as being very apologetic for causing damage to the door.”

Mark Sheward, defending, said there had been an argument between his friend and someone else on New Year’s Eve and he left and lost his bearings.

“The only place he knew he could find was the railway station and he anticipated that he could catch a train home but, when he got there, the railway station was closed.

“He wasn’t dressed for the inclement weather. He’s a carpenter by trade and knew he could remove slats in the door. He climbed in and went to sleep by the boiler. He anticipated that he would wake up, put the door back together again and leave, but was woken by the police after they were called by someone who had come to work early.

“He accepted responsibility and apologised profusely during the interview.”

Hayden was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 compensation to Arriva Trains Wales.