A RAIL traveller who identified himself as 'Jesus Christ' has appeared before a district judge in Carlisle.

The defendant - bearded, wearing a hood, and a green blindfold - was put before the city's Rickergate court after being arrested by British Transport Police in the city on suspicion of not having bought a proper ticket.

During a ten minute hearing, the man insisted his name was Jesus Christ.

He is alleged to have travelled yesterday from Edinburgh to Carlisle without paying the required £19.70 ticket fare.

When asked by the court clerk to state his plea, he replied: "There is a not guilty plea; I don't need to plead."

District Judge Gerald Chalk then asked the man for his address, and he replied: "No fixed abode, or Yellow House, Albion, Mauritius."

The Crown Prosecution Service was this afternoon due to decide how to deal with the case,

In the meantime, the man calling himself Jesus Christ was remanded in custody.

He was guided from the dock to the cells by two security personnel because he wore his blindfold throughout the hearing.