A man accused of fleeing a burglary by hiding in a tree overhanging a railway line, causing travel misery for commuters, appeared in court today.
Carlton Andre, 32, of New Cross, appeared at Bexley Magistrates Court charged with burglary, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, obstructing police, criminal damage and obstructing the railway.
The incident meant rail operator Southeastern was forced to close the track for the man's safety, meaning London-bound services were diverted or delayed throughout the day.
The court heard the estimated cost of disruption to the railway cost was more than £490,000. Prosecutor Lauren Doshi told the court 783 trains were affected and 100 were fully or partial cancelled "having a huge effect on commuters".
Specialist police officers tried to persuade the man to come down from the tree near Barney Close, but he did not come down until 7pm.
A man had been chased by police after an alleged attempted burglary of a Curry's store at the nearby Stone Lake Retail Park shortly before 2am, in a pursuit involving the Metropolitan Police helicopter.
The court heard the man was seen coming out of the Curry's and was pursued by an officer. The man allegedly hid in a shed, causing damage to it, and was also tazered twice by police, but the tazers were ineffective because he was wearing motorcycle leathers.
He did not enter any pleas and will next appear at Woolwich Crown Court on August 29. He was remanded in custody until that date.
