UK - Man Jailed For Train 'Chicken' Game

[John Ashworth]

Man Jailed For Train 'Chicken' Game

Updated:17:41, Friday February 22, 2008

A man caught on CCTV playing 'chicken' with a train has been jailed for six months.

Andrew Ogden jumped out of the way at the last moment as the 50mph train approached a level crossing.

The 21-year-old admitted he had been drinking on July 14 last year and thought standing on the track with his arms raised would be "a bit of a laugh".

He pleaded guilty to obstruction without intent.

The driver of the Manchester Airport to Blackpool service slammed on his emergency brakes but thought he had hit Ogden and was left traumatised, Preston Crown Court heard.

Judge Pamela Badley said she was satisfied the defendant, who had been with friends, had shown genuine remorse by writing a letter of apology to the driver.

But she told him that "behaviour such as this could not be tolerated".

Dramatic footage of the incident at Rylands Crossing in Chorley was shown to the court.

Ogden, of Great Meadow, Astley Village, was seen falling to the side of the track a split second before the train arrived.

Paul Brookwell, prosecuting, said when he was arrested, the defendant said he had been drinking and had not thought of the consequences.

Rosalind Emsley-Smith, defending, said: "He has said he genuinely did not care at the moment whether he lived or died as the train approached."

She said her client had suffered a difficult and traumatic childhood after showing classic signs of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder).

Inspector Gary Jones, of British Transport Police (BTP), said. "This sort of incident is plain stupidity and people need to realise that it is viewed by BTP extremely seriously.

"The driver genuinely thought he had struck the man and was left extremely traumatised."

Sky News