Conwy driver jailed for head-on crash with cyclist

This is the moment when a driver who had fallen asleep at the wheel ploughed into a cyclist and flung him in the air during a head-on crash.

Jake David Tompkinson, of Rowen, Conwy county, was jailed for 12 months at Caernarfon Crown Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The court heard Tomkinson had fallen asleep at the wheel for a few moments. Judge David Hale heard he had already stopped twice and knew he was tired after taking a party on an overnight climb on Snowdon.

The judge accepted that 28-year-old Tomkinson was remorseful and had admitted his fault immediately.

The court heard he had given first aid at the scene of the accident at Talybont in the Conwy Valley where his VW Polo drifted across the road and into the cyclist.

The effect on the victim, a keen cycling and fitness enthusiast, had been devastating said the judge.

As well as the jail term, Tomkinson was banned from driving for two and a half years and must take an extended re-test before obtaining a full licence again

North Wales Police's PC Einion Huws said: "The manner of Tompkinson's driving was reckless and irresponsible and it is only by pure luck that we did not investigate this as a fatal collision."