A MAN whose dangerous driving led to a crash which caused a woman serious injuries has been sentenced. 

Antoine Mercier, of Denbigh Street, Llanwrst, appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday (December 14). 

The 44-year-old had previously admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving. 

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Elen Owen, prosecuting, said that the defendant was working as a restaurant manager and had argued with his chef - causing him to feel under stress.

He drove to a pub after his shift on the evening of November 12, 2022 whereby he drunk by admission "two or three pints" and "some vodka" before getting into his Ford Fiesta car. 

At around 10.30pm that evening, Jennifer Young, accompanied by a friend, was driving her Skoda along the A547 towards Conwy from Llandudno Junction.

Dashcam footage from a taxi travelling behind the defendant leading up to the collision was played to the court.

It shows Mercier's car swerving from side to side, clipping a nearside wall before veering onto the wrong side of the road and straight into the path of Miss Young's car.

Miss Young had no time to react before the two cars collided. 

The court heard that Miss Young was knocked unconscious for a couple of minutes, before waking to "severe" pain and lower abdomen.

She was taken to hospital by police officers having suffered a mildly fractured vertebrae, severe pain to her nose, neck, shoulder, chest, lower abdomen, hips and sternum.

Miss Young also sustained an eight centimetre bruise to her left forearm. 

Miss Young was referred to the trauma and orthopaedic team before being discharged from hospital two days later with a neck brace.

The passenger was also taken to hospital with more minor injuries. 

Analysis of the defendant’s blood from a test taken just before midnight found his alcohol level to be over three times the legal driving limit.

The court heard that Mercier had also been charged with drinking driving - which he was sentenced for in the magistrates court six months prior to today's hearing. 

Rosemary Proctor, defending, said Mercier had shown genuine remorse for his actions - shown by the fact he has already completed the 130 hours of unpaid work for the drink drive conviction. 

She added that Mercier has no previous convictions and had been a working man of previous good character - with the offence being a "terrible lapse in judgement" during a period he was grieving the loss of his father.

Judge Timothy Petts sentenced to Mercier to 18 months' imprisonment, suspended for a period of 18 months.

He was disqualified from driving for two and a half years and must complete a further 200 hours of unpaid work, as well as 20 sessions of rehabilitation activity.

Mercier is also subject to a 120-day alcohol monitoring tag.