Man who blamed van crash on dog admits guilt

A van driver who blamed his dog chewing through the handbrake for a crash at a railway station has admitted driving without due care and attention.

Jody Lovatt, 49, told Harrogate Magistrates' Court earlier that he had been trying to restart the broken-down vehicle and push it backwards before it rolled away and crashed through level crossing barriers before striking a building.

After the incident at Knaresborough Station last July, Lovatt told a BBC reporter at the scene that his French bulldog, Reggie, had accidentally caused the crash.

But before magistrates he pleaded guilty to the charge of careless driving and of endangering safety of persons conveyed by the railway.

The collision happened early on the morning of 10 July, when Lovatt, of Kirkby Malzeard, was on his way to work after a gym session.

He was driving the Vauxhall Combi van along Kirkgate when it broke down and he got out to try and restart it.

The runaway vehicle came to rest against a Grade II-listed Victorian signal box after rolling down the hill and through the crossing barriers, causing £22,000 worth of damage and disruption on the line between Harrogate and York, the court heard.

CCTV footage taken from Knaresborough Working Men's Club showed Lovatt, who was accompanied by his dog on a lead, exit and re-enter the vehicle before jumping out as it rolled down the hill.

Sarah Tyrer, prosecuting, said that the incident appeared to be "negligence or incompetence rather than malicious damage".

Brian Nutteny, defending, told the court that Lovatt had been concerned his van would cause an obstruction, which is why he attempted to push it backwards.

The "momentary lapse" came when attempting to control his dog and his actions were "neglectful, not deliberate".

Lovatt was remorseful for what had happened, Nutteny added.

He will be sentenced at the same court later this month.

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