Teen faces jail for crashing stolen tractor into bridge

A teenager is facing jail after he admitted stealing a tractor and crashing it into a railway bridge.

Matthew Collett, 19, stole a John Deere tractor and crashed it into a railway bridge at 7mph, sending debris scattering on to tracks below.

The tractor was left dangling precariously over the edge of the bridge following the incident on 13 May while passenger trains went past underneath.

See also: Stolen tractor smashes through railway bridge

Mr Collett, of Magnolia Drive, Drakes Broughton, appeared at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on Friday (1 July).

© @CrossCountry

He pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking with property damage over £5,000.

He also admitted driving without insurance and driving a vehicle not allowed on his licence.

The court heard that farmer Anthony Smith, of Wheatlands Farm, Drakes Broughton, gave chase after an employee alerted him that his Deere tractor had gone missing.

After he crashed the tractor into the bridge in Abbotswood, at Norton, Mr Collett fled the scene.

He handed himself in to police 12 days later and confessed to the crime.

In police interviews, Mr Collett told police he had been with friends on the night of Friday 13 May, saw the tractor and decided to steal it.

But he told officers he later regretted his actions.

Magistrates decided their sentencing powers were inadequate and he will appear at Worcester Crown Court on 29 July.