A MAN has lost his licence after a piece of dangerous driving whilst at the wheel of a HGV led to a 'horrific' crash.
Christopher Tribe, of Mayfield Drive in Buckley, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court for sentence on Thursday.
The 57-year-old had previously admitted one offence of driving a motor vehicle dangerously - which took place on December 3 last year on the B5129 at Sandycroft.
Prosecutor James Ashton told the court that on the day in question, emergency service teams rushed to the location following a collision involving Tribe and other motorists.
The defendant, who had been driving a HGV, had poor visibility owing to the fact his windscreen was misted up - and had not taken sufficient measures to rectify the issue.
Mr Ashton played footage to the court which showed the ensuing collision; as Tribe drove straight into the back of a minibus, with the impact affecting other vehicles in the queue of traffic ahead.
(Tribe at the wheel just moments before the crash - provided by CPS)
Police drone footage also played to the court showed the extent of the aftermath; with emergency service teams in attendance and the minibus left nose-down in a water-filled ditch.
Mr Ashton told the court that as a result of the impact, a portion of the adhesive glue the defendant had been carrying spilled onto the road.
It was contained by the police, fire service and environment agency.
Furthermore, injury including bruising was caused to the driver of the minibus and one of his passengers, as well as another motorist caught up in the incident.
When Tribe was spoken to by police, he said his recollection had been braking prior to the collision.
He apologised to the other drivers and expressed regret that injuries had been suffered by the other road users.
Patrick Geddes, defending, referred the Magistrates to a pre-sentence report prepared on his client's behalf.
"He's not a man who has troubled the court often," he said.
"And he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
"He's clearly remorseful and didn't minimise his behaviour.
"He's fully aware this could have resulted in serious injury - or worse.
"His driving was dangerous and caused a collision.
"A contributory factor was that the sun was very low; it added to the poor visibility. It doesn't absolve Mr Tribe, but it is a factor.
"There is mention of his phone. He did do that; it's not anything what resulted in the collision.
"He checked it whilst travelling, and he shouldn't have been doing that."
(Image from the police drone team - provided by CPS)
Mr Geddes also pointed the court to a strong reference from his employers, in that while he had not been able to continue working as a HGV driver, the company thought 'extremely highly' of him and had found him another role.
Lucy Bureau, Chair of the Magistrates, told the defendant: "Mr Tribe, it was a fairly horrific incident - I'm sure you agree."
The court handed down a 36 week custodial sentence, but suspended it for 18 months.
Tribe was banned from driving for 18 months and must pay a £187 victim surcharge, as well as £85 costs.
He will have to take a compulsory extended retest before being able to get back behind the wheel.