A MOTORIST who collided with another car as he swerved to avoid a police stinger has been convicted of dangerous driving.

Lewis Daniel Gandy was being tracked by police as he drove a Vauxhall Zafira on the A590 and the A591.

South Cumbria Magistrates' Court heard the driver collided with an oncoming vehicle as he tried to evade police and narrowly missed hitting another.

The 33-year-old admitted driving a motor vehicle dangerously when he was brought before the court.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and without insurance and failing to provide a specimen of breath to officers.

Prosecutor Lee Dacre told magistrates the incident happened near the Brettargh Holt on May 21.

He described how during the course of the pursuit police Gandy drove erratically and officers had to deploy a stinger in the hope of deflating his tyres and bringing him to a stop. 

"There was a police pursuit on the A590 and a small track leading to Sizergh Castle," Mr Dacre said.

"The vehicle went across the A590 narrowly missing a vehicle coming the other way.

"A stinger was deployed near Kendal and as he swerved out of the way of it he collided with a vehicle being driven by a woman with children also in the vehicle.

"It caused damage to the other vehicle."

The court heard Gandy was taken into custody at Kendal Police Station and failed to provide a breath sample to officers having been suspected of drink driving.

Magistrates decided the offence was too serious for sentencing in a magistrates court and sent the case to a crown court.

Announcing the decision, chair of the bench Sharon Gillam said: "We feel this matter is beyond our powers and should be remitted to the crown court for sentencing."

Gandy, of Coleus Close in Liverpool, is due to be sentenced for the offences at Carlisle Crown Court on June 21.

A further charge of failing to stop for a constable was withdrawn by the prosecutor.