A MAN who held up train services for several hours when he stood on railway lines has been handed a suspended sentence.

Benjamin Ayres admitted placing himself in a precarious position over railway lines causing an obstruction at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court.

Trains between Colchester and Clacton ground to a halt on the evening of November 1 when the 24-year-old was standing in the way.

Police officers also stopped traffic on a stretch of Cowdray Avenue as they tried to get him to move.

He was eventually moved away safely but some passengers - including senior Tory MP Lizz Truss - were stuck on a stationary train for four hours while police talked him down.

Ms Truss missed a planned appearance on Question Time which was being filmed in Clacton meaning Giles Watling had to step in.

Ayres, of River Bank Walk, Colchester, was given a six month jail term suspended for a year to mark the disruption and trauma for passengers.

He must also pay a £115 victim surcharge.