PROSECUTION: Lower Cefn Farm 2008

A lorry driver whose vehicle collided with a train at a user-worked level crossing near Welshpool last year has avoided a custodial sentence.

Arthur Roberts pleaded guilty to a charge of endangering railway passengers by wilful omission or neglect when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates Court. In Spetmeber 2008, Roberts drove to Lower Cefn Farm over a UWC+T and failed to contact the signaller for permission to cross in either direction. On his return journey, the rear of his lorry was struck at 70mph by a Birmingham to Aberystwyth passenger service.

Roberts was given a four month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work.

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