A WIMBORNE man who climbed a communications mast and disrupted rail services for nearly four hours has appeared in court.

Roberts Greviskis, 40, of Hardy Crescent, admitted a charge of obstructing an engine or carriageway using the railway between Christchurch and Pokesdown on June 24 when he appeared before magistrates in Poole.

Rail services between Bournemouth and Brockenhurst were disrupted after Greviskis climbed a mast near the railway line at Iford playing fields in Bournemouth at 7.30pm.

Representatives from British Transport Police, Dorset Police, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and the South Western Ambulance Service Trust were all on standby.

A community order was made in court and he was ordered to comply with a rehabilitation activity requirement for 30 days. He was also fined £200 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £85 and £40 costs.

Greviskis also admitted committing a further offence while a community order for assault was in place.