A FARM labourer went through a railway crossing as the barriers were being lowered, a court heard.

At least four vehicles had stopped while a Network Rail manager manually lowered the barriers at the crossing outside Romsey.

But Matthew Tilbury nipped up on the outside and zigzagged across the junction just 30 yards ahead of the train.

Tilbury, 22, of Mead Close, Romsey, pleaded guilty at Southampton Crown Court to dangerous driving.

He received a 26-week suspended sentence coupled with 150 hours unpaid work and was disqualified for 12 months with order to take an extended retest after its completion.