Man in court over railway suicide attempt

Mar 28 2007

A MAN who tried to take his own life by lying on the track at Solihull railway station has pleaded guilty to an offence of obstructing an engine.

Somalian Ahmed Olow was charged with obstructing an engine or carriage using the railway on January 24 by an unlawful act of lying on the railway tracks.

But when Olow, 24, of no fixed address, appeared at Warwick Crown Court he at first made no reply to the charge.

His barrister Gurdeep Singh Garcha explained that the case had been brought forward from its original listing in May because Olow wanted to plead guilty, but was anxious to explain the background before doing so.

When the charge was put to him again Olow began sobbing, and replied through a Somali interpreter: "It is true I was lying there. I was doing it to kill myself. My intention was not to delay the train or anything."

It was explained to him that if he admitted the charge he had to enter his plea by saying "guilty" and after hesitating he tearfully did so.

Prosecuting, Graham Hubbard said that Olow, who was arrested after lying on the London-bound track at Solihull railway station, has had an asylum application turned down and is appealing against that.

Recorder The Honourable Justin Wigoder said: "I can see you are very distressed, but I have to try to do justice to everybody, and that includes the public and that includes the train driver who might have seen you."

He remanded Olow in custody and asked that the reports should be prepared as soon as possible.