A FLINTSHIRE dad-of-four was told he was extremely lucky not to have been in a fatal collision when he took his friend's car and crashed it head-on into another vehicle.

Daniel Ray Johnson, of Llys Ben in Northop Hall, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court for sentencing on Friday.

The 34-year-old had previously admitted having driven without due care and attention, aggravated vehicle taking and driving without insurance.

Ember-Jade Wong, prosecuting, said on April 4 this year police were alerted by ambulance colleagues to a two vehicle collision on the A4212 near Bala.

Officers spoke to one of the motorists involved, who said a black Land Rover Range Rover had come around a bend at excessive speed and lost control.

It came onto the wrong side of the carriageway and collided head-on with his Nissan van, he told police.

Johnson, who had been driving the Land Rover, admitted to officers that he didn't have appropriate insurance for the vehicle and that it didn't actually belong to him.

It belonged to a friend, he said, and he'd been blinded by the sun when he came round the bend and 'clipped' the grass verge at the side of the road.

He described both vehicles at the scene as "a complete write-off," having sustained significant damage.

Shortly afterwards, the owner of the Land Rover arrived and confirmed Johnson had been staying with him and his partner, as well as their children.

He'd offered to make breakfast for everyone, but left to go to the shop in the Land Rover without permission - when his own vehicle had also been available to him.

The court heard the total damage caused came to more than £17,000.

Phillip Clemo, defending, said: "He accepted his wrongdoing from the outset.

"He's a father of four and has a highly skilled job working on offshore wind turbines.

"He has acted in what he freely admits is a stupid and immature way. "He started making breakfast and realised he didn't have Easter eggs for the kids.

"The car most convenient was his friend's.

"He is absolutely racked with remorse and knows it is by the grace of God that he's not here for causing death by dangerous driving."

Recorder Wyn Lloyd-Jones said: "It is sad to see someone people speak highly of in the dock at the Crown Court.

"You took the Range Rover, you drove too fast and you lost control.

"In the end it is very fortunate indeed that the occupant of the other vehicle - let alone you - wasn't seriously injured, or even killed.

"The damage to that van is frightening."

The court heard he was last before the court several years ago for unrelated offences, but he had committed speeding offences in 2017 and 2019.

Recorder Lloyd-Jones added: "You are a hard working father-of-four.

"You have made something of your life. This is out of character.

"I have decided to suspend this sentence - you're remorseful and there's an element of scope for rehabilitation to put yourself back on the right track.

"This was seriously bad driving - you have been extremely lucky."

For aggravated vehicle taking Johnson received a 10 month custodial sentence, but it was suspended for 18 months.

His license was endorsed for the other two offences but he received no separate penalty.

He must undertake 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £420 costs.

Recorder Lloyd-Jones also imposed a driving ban of 18 months.