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An Oxton man who caused what police called the worst disruption Merseyrail has seen in several years has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Tyler Griffith, 29, of Mount Grove Place, pleaded guilty to obstructing the railway at Wirral Magistrates' Court on 21 September.
At Liverpool Magistrates' Court on 12 October he was sentenced to a year in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work and pay an £800 fine.
The court heard that at about 11:45am on Thursday, 10 September, Griffith was being chased on foot by Merseyside Police officers when he ran into Birkenhead Central station, jumped down onto the tracks and ran towards Green Lane station.
Trains were stopped while British Transport Police (BTP) officers searched the area, as they requested the trains be halted.
About 30 minutes after the stop was lifted, he was spotted at James Street station in Liverpool and ran off down the Wirral line tunnels towards Liverpool Central.
Trains were stopped again for a second search, including police dog units.
Griffith eventually climbed onto the roof of a Merseyrail train heading for Sandhills, which arrived at 5:10pm. He jumped down onto the platform, crossed the tracks and ran off in the direction of Dunes Way.
He was arrested on 19 September after an officer spotted him outside Birkenhead Library on Borough Road.
BTP Chief Inspector Pete Wilcock said his actions were "extremely irresponsible, reckless and dangerous", and caused four and a half hours of disruption.
Paul Owen, Liverpool area director for Network Rail, said more than 20,000 passenger journeys were affected, at a cost to the taxpayer of more than £30,000.
In August, Wirral passengers faced major disruption on Merseyrail's Wirral lines because of signalling problems.
