Driver goes wrong way on road

A 78-year-old man drove the wrong way along a Shropshire dual carriageway for three miles, a court heard.

Telford Magistrates' Court were told that John Hartley's vehicle weaved in and out of rush-hour traffic as it travelled down the road narrowly avoiding oncoming vehicles.

Mr Hartley, from Holdgate Hall, Holdgate, Much Wenlock, was travelling home from a funeral in Newport when he found himself travelling west on the eastbound dual carriageway of the A5 between Wellington and Shrewsbury.

Oncoming vehicles, including a minibus carrying 14 children, were forced to swerve out of the way as the retired farmer drove his Vauxhall Cavalier with its hazard lights flashing.

When police officers eventually caught up with him the road had to be closed while the car was turned round.

One West Mercia Police officer told the court on Thursday that he was amazed there had not been a serious accident.

Mr Hartley said a pedestrian had given him the wrong directions.

He was banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 costs after being found guilty of dangerous driving.