Endurance driver slept at wheel

Competitors must climb three mountains in just 24 hours

A driver who caused a serious crash after falling asleep at the wheel while taking part in an endurance event has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Neil Campbell, 32, from Kelty in Fife, was undertaking the Three Peaks challenge when he crashed in Cumbria.

The challenge involves scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours.

Campbell admitted dangerous driving at Preston Crown Court. He was given a four-month suspended sentence.

He was also banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to do 80 hours unpaid community work.

Memory loss

The court was told Campbell had already climbed the first two mountains and was on his way to the third when he nodded off and hit another vehicle, causing multiple injuries to Janet Nicholson from Kirkby-in-Furness.

She sustained a head injury and also had to use two walking sticks for up to three months afterwards. Mrs Nicholson also suffered short-term memory loss and a continuing lack of concentration.

The judge, Recorder Teresa Pepper, said Campbell could have stopped in a lay-by before the accident scene but she accepted his remorse.

She ruled that the father-of-two will have to take an extended test before getting his licence back, and ordered him to pay costs of £1,000.