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Tuesday 24 May 2005

RAILWAY VANDALS CAUGHT ON CAMERA

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Three teenagers have been convicted of causing £15,000 worth of damage to a railway bridge after they were filmed by a local resident. The three-day act of vandalism was caught on camera by local resident Geoff Goold, who filmed them pushing coping stones off a road-over-rail bridge and on to the railway line at Overpool, Cheshire. Area General Manager Andrew Skidmore, who presented Mr Goold with a cheque for £1,000 on behalf of Network Rail for helping to catch the culprits, said: “We are indebted to Mr Goold (crct) for his help in successfully prosecuting these people. “This was a mindless act of vandalism and thankfully the culprits have been brought to justice.” Mr Goold videotaped the vandalism using a camcorder in April 2004, and handed the evidence to the British Transport Police. Inspector Mike Sutton, of the British Transport Police, said: “Mr Goold’s evidence proved vital in identifying the culprits and bringing about a successful prosecution. We would like to remind the public that they can report any incidents of railway crime by calling 0800 405040.” The youths were fined and sentenced to community service.