Rail vandal 'caught by receipt'

The vandalism caused disruption on the railways

A man who paralysed the rail network by carrying out a number of vandalism attacks was caught after dropping a pasta snack receipt, a court heard.

Allan Nicol, 48, of Yardley, Birmingham was arrested after CCTV was studied at the store where he bought the snack.

Mr Nicol, a former rail worker, admits carrying out 12 attacks in the West Midlands region during 2004 and 2005.

But he denies charges of arson with intent to endanger life and reckless criminal damage.

The till receipt was found at the scene of a fire in Rugeley, Staffordshire, which was started on 3 November 2005, Birmingham Crown Court was told.

It showed the exact time and place where the snack was bought. Fellow rail workers were able to identify Mr Nicol who was caught on CCTV.

The vandalism attacks took place in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, the West Midlands and Worcestershire and had a knock-on effect over a massive area of the rail network.

The trial continues.