Picture by Mike Gunnill

This is the face of cabbie Donald James who almost caused a catastrophe when he drove his taxi on to the electrified railway line at Broad Oak.

The 74-year-old says he had been listening to instructions from his Satnav when he turned off Shalloak Road and started heading towards Canterbury West station.

Services on the line, which connects Thanet to London, were delayed for 90 minutes as a result of his actions.

James, of Marlow Road, Margate, admitted careless driving when he appeared before city magistrates.

The court heard that his terrified passengers had been a 19-year-old woman and a girl aged nine on their way to Herne Bay.

He said he did not know the area and was listening to his Satnav which told him to turn when he reached the Broad Oak crossing.

The was stuck on the line while police arrived to secure the area.

James was banned for three years, fined £100 and ordered to pay £30 costs plus a £15 surcharge. He must retake his test if he wants to drive again.

As he left court, his brother who had been with him in the building swore at waiting journalists