A TRAIN driver was forced to pull the emergency brakes after a fight on a railway station platform spilled onto the tracks last month.

A man has been fined by magistrates after admitting leaping onto live railway tracks following a row at Pokesdown station on February 15.

Jack Power, who is 27, had been involved in a row with another man.

Their altercation turned into a fight, and Power knocked his victim unconscious. It was initially believed the man had suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the attack.

Power then jumped onto the track in a bid to run away.

His actions caused the driver of a moving train to apply the emergency brakes.

The incident also caused disruption on the railway network, with delays to Bournemouth-bound services from Christchurch.

Pokesdown station's westbound platform was cordoned off while police officers examine the scene.

The defendant, of Columbus Street in St Helier, Jersey, appeared before magistrates in Poole on March 23 to admit the unlawful act. Prosecutors said his actions had endangered the safety of those travelling on the train.

Power was fined £300 for the offence.

The defendant also admitted a further count of assaulting Connor James by beating him.

Magistrates fined him a further £490 and ordered him to pay costs of £85 to the CPS and a £49 surcharge to fund victim services.

Prosecutors withdrew an offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: "We were called shortly after 5.50pm on February 15 to reports of a fight between two men on platform two at Pokesdown railway station.

"The fight left one man unconscious and the other – Power – ran off on the tracks.

"However, he was apprehended and taken into custody.

"The victim, a 26-year-old man, was taken to hospital.

"His injuries are not believed to be life changing or life threatening."