An “idiotic” motorist who drove half a mile down train tracks before abandoning his car has been jailed for 15 months.

Aaron O’Halloran, 31, caused £23,000 worth of damage to the railway and left rush hour commuters delayed for up to eight hours.

O’Halloran was caught after fleeing the car but mistakenly leaving his mobile phone behind, which British Transport Police (BTP) officers used to trace him.

He drove through a gate at Duddeston Station in Birmingham before travelling towards Aston.

Footage released by BTP shows O’Halloran hurtling down the tracks at about 7.30am on 9 May this year.

It was “immensely dangerous” and caused “significant risk” to passengers, BTP Detective Inspector Raymond Ascott said.

Watch the shocking moment a driver sped down the railway tracks near Birmingham.

He’ll now have plenty of time to reflect on this ‘immensely dangerous and senseless act’ in prison. 💭😱

Full story here 👉 https://t.co/OYE29CNWN9 pic.twitter.com/5IQhVJR8JY

Fortunately no one was hurt during the incident.

O’Halloran, of Thornbury Road, Handsworth, was convicted of endangering people on the railway, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and using a vehicle without insurance.

O’Halloran refused to comment on the incident when quizzed by police – but denied he was driving the car, despite being shown the CCTV.

He was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court on August 23, when he was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £156.

Det Insp Ascott said: “This was an immensely dangerous and senseless act by O’Halloran which caused significant risk to passengers and damage to the railway.

“The sentence handed to him reflects the severity of this crime and we are thankful no one was injured as a result of O’Halloran’s alarming behaviour.

“He’ll now have plenty of time to reflect on his idiotic actions in prison.”

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