Driver hit road sign and broke it in half

A speeding motorist, who was travelling up to 90mph on a dual carriageway crashed into a road sign, catapulting it into the path of an oncoming car, a court heard.

Andrew Plant, who admitted dangerous driving, was travelling along the A454 Aldridge Road in Walsall when he lost control of his Jaguar S-type.

The 42-year-old struck the road sign causing it to break in half and hit the side of another car, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told yesterday.

Plant was given a 36-week jail sentence, suspended for 18 month,s by Recorder Michael Stevens. He said Plant, of Elwell Road, Erdington, had been "intoxicated by speed".

Plant was also banned from driving for three years, given 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £921 costs.

Mr Paul Reid, prosecuting, said a witness saw Plant's car "leave the ground" as it drove towards Longwood Bridge and cut across a pedestrian refuge.

"Further down the road he struck a metal pole with a traffic sign that snapped and was catapulted 78metres down the road where it was impaled in the nearside wing of another car," added Mr Reid.

No-one was hurt in the accident, which happened at around in 11.15am on April 21 last year.

Mr Niall Skinner, defending, said Plant, whose wife is due to give birth in May, had an "impeccable" driving record and regretted what had been "a single mistake".

He added: " It was an out-of-character mistake and one that could have devastating effects for Mr Plant."

Recorder Michael Stevens said it was "extremely fortunate" that no one had been injured.

He added: "I know you are full of remorse for what has occured."