Restaurateur fined after level-crossing near-miss

A restaurateur has been fined after a level crossing near-miss described by his solicitor as "like a harrowing episode of Thomas The Tank Engine". Marius-Nelu Boncota had decided to cross the unmanned crossing, despite lineside phones being out of order. An alternative number attached with masking tape had fallen off. Stirling Sheriff Court heard how he had posted lookouts down the line, but one of them failed to alert him, and as he drove onto the line the 07.20 from Crianlarich to Oban came round a corner, causing the train driver to slam on the emergency brakes. Boncota was fined £520 and had four points added to his licence. The 42-year-old from Crianlarich, who was not present in court, pleaded guilty to careless driving. The remote rural crossing has two gates, which vehicle drivers have to open themselves after phoning the West Highland Line signalling centre for permission to cross. The court heard the train driver only saw Boncota's van 100m (328ft) before braking. Prosecutor Lucy Clarke said: "The driver stopped the train and composed himself before continuing on his journey to Oban." About an hour later, a railway call centre operator received an email from Boncota, who