A MAN who overtook a car that was stopped at a level crossing and sped through as the gates were lowering said his behaviour was “out of character”.

Max Christopher Greatrix had originally denied an offence of dangerous driving in June last year in Shropshire. However, he was convicted in his absence at a trial in Welshpool last month.

The 28-year-old told Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, September 5, that he had missed the trial as he was making funeral arrangements after a bereavement.

The incident occurred on the A49 near Onibury, between Ludlow and Craven Arms, on June 29, 2022.

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Greatrix had been driving a white saloon type car, and entered a not guilty plea in February of this year. But Greatrix failed to attend his trial, held in Welshpool on August 14, was convicted in his absence, and then was forced to admit another charge of failing to surrender to court bail.

Prosecutor Helen Tench showed CCTV footage from the level crossing which clearly showed Greatrix completing the dangerous manoeuvre, speeding through the crossing just before the barriers came down as a train was approaching.

“He pulled out, crossing double white lines approaching the crossing as the barrier was closing and he overtook,” said Mrs Tench.

CCTV showed the defendant overtaking a stationary blue SUV.

Representing himself at the hearing, Greatrix, of Damson Hill Barn, Little Weston, just over the Powys-Shropshire border, acknowledged he had “no excuse”.

“That day I wasn’t in the right head space, I was not thinking clearly,” he said.

“I made the wrong decision, I know that now. I pleaded not guilty originally as I was told the court had not seen the footage.

“It is not what I usually do, it was totally out of character for me or put anyone else’s life at risk.”

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Greatrix was handed a 12-month driving ban and told he must take an extended re-test. He was also handed a 12-month community order,  which requires him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. It also includes 15 rehabilitation activity days.

Magistrates issues no separate penalty for failing to attend. He must also pay a £114 surcharge and £620 costs.

Chair of the bench, Rebecca Klug, told him: “We all saw the video and what a dangerous manoeuvre it was.

“Our guidelines suggest a starting point of 36 weeks in prison. But you have no previous convictions and have shown obvious remorse. You realise this could have resulted in something horrendous.”