A Shropshire man has been warned he faces jail after a train carrying more than 114 people was in collision with his van as he went over a level crossing.

Arthur Roberts, of St Martins, near Oswestry, had failed to wait for permission to go over the crossing at Buttington, a court heard. Yesterday Roberts, 45, of Cherry Tree Drive, admitted breaching crossing laws.

Roberts was the driver of a van hit by a train, which had two carriages, after he left the vehicle over a part of the train line to open a gate.

He was charged that by an unlawful act, or wilfully, he failed to comply with level crossing regulations, endangering the safety of people being conveyed on the railway at Buttington on September 10.

The same charge against a 15-year-old male, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was dropped.

Miss Clare Jones, prosecuting, said at 11.50am Roberts and two other people were in a van travelling to a farm on an unclassified road close to the A458 at Buttington.

They approached an unmanned level crossing, where the signs stated you had to pick up the phone and wait for a signal officer at Machynlleth to give you permission to cross.

Miss Jones said Roberts failed to wait for this permission however, and began making his way across the line before stopping to open the gate.

When the van was almost across the line an Arriva Trains Wales service from Birmingham New Street to Aberystwyth came around the bend and collided with the van.

Miss Jones said the train took 40 seconds and half a mile to stop, but only one person needed  treatment for cuts and bruises.

Mr Alun Williams, for Roberts, said his client thought the phone was not working so made an attempt to cross. He said Roberts had been deeply shaken and it had had a ‘catastrophic’ effect on his life.

The case was adjourned until January 6 for sentencing at Welshpool Magistrates Court following an appearance yesterday.

But Mr David Peate, presiding magistrate, warned Roberts he could be facing jail.

He said: “This is a very serious incident and you endangered the lives of the train crew and 114 passengers.

“Custody has to be considered very seriously in this matter.”

By Andrew Morris