A SOUTHEASTERN railway worker from Erith let an untrained friend stand in for him for more than a fortnight so he could study for a degree.

Oluwaseun Oyesanya, 36, of Lime Row, allowed pal Olutoba Olubode to wave off trains from station platforms even though he had no idea what he was doing.

The deception could have led to a crash and passenger deaths if a train had been cleared to leave Denmark Hill station at the wrong moment, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard last Tuesday.

Despatchers conduct safety checks before trains depart, and must undergo training and obtain a licence before working in the job.

Chair of the bench Spyros Elia told Oyesanya it was “but for the will of God that somebody wasn't injured, perhaps even fatally, and maybe more than one person.”

Adjourning for sentencing at Blackfriars Crown Court on a date yet to be set, he said: “I just cannot stress how serious this is.

“We feel the sentencing powers available to us in this court are not sufficient to deal with it with the severity it deserves.”

The ruse took place between October 15 and 27 last year, when Oyesanya, who has no previous convictions, was employed by Southeastern.

In order to make a convincing show, he gave Olubode a fake ID badge, along with a personal crash course and a set of training books.

Alec Williams, prosecuting, said the measures let his friend “effectively home-school himself in how to become competent in despatching trains.”

He said the scam went unnoticed until January this year when Oyesanya turned up at the station to go about renewing his licence.

Mr Williams told the court: “Colleagues caught sight of him and were rather confused that the gentleman they saw was not the gentleman they had been working with.”

Following his arrest, the railway worker told police he thought Olubode was “doing it quite well and not putting anyone in danger.”

George Otchere, defending, said his client had acted out of a desire to provide for his family while keeping up with his studies.

He said: “The reason for the crime was that he was trying to do two things at the same time – trying to cater for his wife and daughter, and at the same time go to university.

“He shows remorse for what he has done.

“It's something he did unwisely, not realising the seriousness.”

Oyesanya was released on unconditional bail.

He admits fraud by false representation, which relates to his wages, and endangering the safety of persons conveyed by railway.