A man has been jailed for four years for stalking and obstructing the railway in Havant in October 2024.

Shane Fudge (35), of Norfolk Street in Southsea, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Wednesday 29 January, after pleading guilty to stalking involving fear of violence and obstructing an engine/carriage using the railway by an unlawful act / wilful omission / neglect.

The court heard that Fudge had stalked a woman in her 20s and made various threats of violence by telephone, calling and sending text and Whatsapp messages threatening her and her mother, some indicating that he was outside her address. She reported receiving 70 missed calls from Fudge on one day alone.

On Sunday 13 October, Fudge entered her address whilst she was out and caused severe damage to the property, including ripping light switches off the wall and leaving gauge marks in the walls and cupboards.

Officers attended and located Fudge, however he fled the area and was later found on the train tracks between Bedhampton and Havant.

Police engaged with National Network Rail and the live electricity was turned off for two and a half hours whilst Fudge remained on the tracks. This caused severe disruptions for Network Rail, amounting to 1,380 delay minutes, which effected 95 trains from five different operators, and a financial impact of £54,701.73 to the railway network.

Fudge then climbed up a gantry and threatened to jump off, causing police negotiators, along with colleagues from British Transport Police, ambulance and fire services, to attend.

Fudge eventually gave himself up to police and was arrested.

He appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday 28 January, where he pleaded guilty, and again at the same court the following day, where he was sentenced to four years imprisonment and handed a restraining order.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary take allegations of stalking incredibly seriously, and encourage anyone who has been affected by this type of behaviour to please contact police on 101, where you can speak to a police officer in confidence. Dial 999 in the event of an emergency or if a crime is ongoing.

We understand that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police right away. There are support services, independent of the police, who can help you if you’ve been a victim of stalking.

For more information, visit the stalking and harassment support page on our website: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/beta-stalking-and-harassment/stalking-harassment-support-organisations/

On Fudge’s sentence for obstructing the railway, Tom Desmond, Operations Director for Network Rail said, “This prosecution demonstrates that there are severe consequences for those who trespass on the railway. 

“Making sure everyone involved in these challenging events is safe is our top priority, including those who respond to such incidents. Additionally, the impact on the railway network from these events and our ability to serve our customers cannot be underestimated, with the associated widespread disruption and stranded trains causing us nearly 800 minutes of delay to services in one incident.

“This individual was extremely lucky to escape unharmed, with the risk of both trains travelling through the area as well as the threat of the third rail, which carries enough voltage to kill or seriously injure anyone coming into contact.”