A drink-driver who travelled the wrong way along a busy dual carriageway on Good Friday before smashing into an oncoming vehicle, causing serious injury to an innocent woman, was jailed for 30 months.

Judge Niclas Parry said he accepted 43-year-old David Shaw was “truly remorseful” but told him :”Your conduct beggars belief.” He probably came across more than 100 vehicles and witnesses considered themselves lucky to be alive.

Shaw was alleged to have driven at 70mph in a Hyundai while close to double the alcohol limit. Caernarfon crown court heard that at 1pm North Wales police began to receive 999 calls as he drove west on the A55 eastbound between Abergele and nearby Llanddulas.

Ember Wong, prosecuting, said :”Several callers reported they had near-misses. Police also received a call from the defendant’s son due to his concerns that his father had driven away and may get someone killed because he was drunk.

“His father and stepmother had recently split and his father was suffering from depression.

“That morning there had been an altercation at the family home and he had drunk half a bottle of whisky and driven away in a full-on temper.”

There was soon a 999 call reporting the crash in the overtaking lane, adjacent to a slip-road, involving the Hyundai people carrier and a black Seat. Extensive damage had been caused.

The prosecution said Shaw’s blood-alcohol count was 134, the legal limit being 80.

Shaw, who’d driven nearly three miles, with his vehicle almost touching the central reservation, told police :”I know I have made a mistake. I don’t know how I ended up on the wrong side of the road.”

The Seat was being driven by Peter Maguire, 67, with his wife Anna, 62, and daughter Fiona, 21, returning to London from Ireland, via Holyhead port. Mr Maguire had been unable to avoid the collision when confronted by the Hyundai.

Luckily Mr Maguire and his daughter had only minor injuries but Mrs Maguire had a broken wrist. The prosecutor described how Mrs Maguire said they could “easily have been killed by the selfish actions of the other driver.”

Shaw declined legal representation but told the judge he had apologised in a letter.

A two-year ban will start after his release from jail and he must take an extended test.

Shaw, who previously gave an address in South Parade, Pensarn, Abergele, had caused Easter traffic chaos. He admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.