Boy's 'messing about' on railway tracks costs parents

10:28am Friday 16th May 2008

A TEENAGER from Greenbank has been sentenced for messing about' on railway lines.

The 14 year old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted to trespassing on the line near Northwich station when he appeared at Vale Royal Youth Court.

The victim this time could have been you but there could have been another victim, for the person driving the train it would have had a terrible affect on them, and anyone who might have seen you on the line.

Chairman of the bench Moira Chapman

Mairead Neeson, prosecuting, said a police officer spotted the defendant crossing the lines repeatedly on the viaduct on March 15.

He was taken home and interviewed by police before being charged.

Derek Macdonald, defending, said the youth had been taking a shortcut to visit friends in Rudheath.

He said: "I don't think he realised it was an offence and how dangerous it could be."

Sentencing him, chairman of the bench Moira Chapman told the defendant his actions could have had serious consequences.

She said: "The victim this time could have been you but there could have been another victim, for the person driving the train it would have had a terrible affect on them, and anyone who might have seen you on the line. There are victims."

Already subject to a curfew order which forbids him to leave the house between 7pm and 7am, the defendant is also subject to an action plan aimed at curbing his criminal behaviour.

His curfew was extended for three months and his parents were ordered to pay costs of £43.