A POWYS driver has been sent to prison for four months after he was convicted of dangerous driving.

Martin Ashley Owen, 34, caused an accident driving his BMW 320 on July 11 last year, crashing into the central reservation on the busy A465 near Hirwaun in south Wales. Owen, of Tanyrallt, Abercrave, had denied the charge but was found guilty and jailed at West Glamorgan Magistrates' Court on April 27. 

Magistrates jailed Owen due to the seriousness of the offence – they said his bad driving led to a collision and substantial damage was caused to the vehicle and a road barrier, while he had also been carrying passengers and there was “a risk of death to them and others”. He also has relative previous convictions, the court heard.

As well as the custodial sentence, he was also disqualified from driving for 26 months.

He was given no separate penalty for failing to report the accident but received another 12-week prison sentence for failing to stop following an accident – he admitted the charge and this is to be served concurrently.

There was also no separate penalty for causing a vehicle to be left in a dangerous position following the accident; Owen had denied this charge.

He did admit one charge of failing to surrender to custody at Swansea Magistrates' Court on March 30; for this he received another four-week term of imprisonment, but this will also be served concurrently.

When he is released he must pay a £128 surcharge.