A TAXI driver has appeared in court after his car got stuck on a level crossing in Tynedale and was hit by a train.

Mumtaz Ali (68) of Paignton Avenue, Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Ali pleaded not guilty to one charge of dangerous driving relating to the incident on January 7 last year. However, he had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving.

The court heard that Ali had been driving a passenger to an unknown location, and had been told to turn left before the crossroads. Ali, who said he had never driven in the area, got confused and turned left onto the railway track, and became stuck.

The collision between a train and the taxi happened at around 7.15pm near to the Warden crossing.

At the time, British Transport Police said no casualties were reported, but trains were cancelled or delayed due to the lines being blocked. Both the taxi and the train were damaged in the crash.

Magistrates found that Ali had not been driving dangerously, and charged him with careless driving instead.

He was given nine points on his driving licence, and ordered to pay a fine of £387, as well as costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £36.