Drink driver claimed he had been drinking shandy after injuring care worker in head-on smash

Craig Miles caused the collision as he tried to overtake in heavy rain and ploughed into the oncoming car.

Leeds Crown Court heard Miles carried out the dangerous manoeuvre in treacherous conditions on Wakefield Road, Fitzwilliam, on July 21 last year.

Benjamin Whittingham, prosecuting, said Miles is thought to have been travelling at about 50mph in a 30mph zone in his VW Scirocco when he he caused the collision.

The female driver, who had been returning home from work at Pinderfields Hospital, had no chance to avoid the oncoming car.

She suffered a broken thumb, bruising to her chest and pain to her back.

He was breath tested by police and his lowest reading was 43 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms

Miles, of Newstead Terrace, Fitzwilliam, admitted a charge of drink driving, dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

The court heard he has a previous conviction for drink driving dating back to 2008.

Mark Foley, mitigating, said Miles, a bricklayer, had been to the pub after work and had "three or four pints" of lager shandy, which he said would explain why the breath test reading was only just over the legal limit.

He claimed his car had aquaplaned while he was overtaking.

Mr Foley added: "He reacted instantly and was in a degree of shock."

Judge Simon Batiste handed him a four-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Miles was ordered to do 160 hours of unpaid work and to pay £1,500 compensation to the victim.

He was banned him from driving for 30 months.