Dog blamed for £22k crash, driver banned

A van driver has been disqualified from driving for six months following a crash at a railway level crossing. The incident, which occurred on July 10, resulted in over £22,000 of damage to the crossing and a signal box. The driver, Jody Lovatt, 49, had claimed his dog was responsible for the handbrake failure, a statement he later retracted. He pleaded guilty to careless driving and endangering persons on the railway.

Lovatt's van rolled down a road, smashing through level crossing barriers and hitting a building. This caused substantial disruption to rail services, with Network Rail reporting £16,147 in costs due to cancelled and delayed trains. The van sustained major damage, and the signal box attached to a house was also struck.

In court, Lovatt cited personal difficulties, including an "awkward divorce" and stress, as contributing factors. He argued for leniency, claiming exceptional hardship due to poor public transport in his village and his role as a carer. Magistrates acknowledged his remorse but found that others would not suffer unduly from his disqualification.