A banned motorist who crashed head-on into a fellow driver was jailed for two-and-a-half years yesterday.

Robert Barrow, 30, had already been banned for dangerous driving when he crashed a Ford Escort into an oncoming Mondeo, in Concorde, Washington, on October 8 last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that even after the smash, in which no-one was injured, he continued to drive with a tyre hanging off.

The smash happened while Barrow was on police bail after being spotted trying to sell diazepam in the Washington area.

He had also been found with a small amount of cannabis and heroin when officers raided his home in Collingwood Court, Sulgrave.

Barrow pleaded guilty to possession of a class C drug with intent to supply, possession of a class A drug, possession of a class B drug, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving with no insurance and failing to stop. As well as the jail term, Barrow was banned from driving for two years.