A DANGEROUS driver who caused a three-vehicle crash when he tried to overtake a lorry on an s-bend has appeared in court.

Darren Thomas Cordock, 39, was charged with one count of driving without due care and attention when he attended Furness Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

It was heard that on the morning of November 29 last year at around 6.40am, Cordock was driving on the A595 between Grizebeck and Wreaks Causeway following an HGV.

The morning was described as dark due to the time of year and the road was frosty. Cordock, of Lowgill Walk, Manchester, accelerated to get ahead of the lorry, in spite of the dark and winding road.

As he moved forwards there was a head-on collision between Cordock's Audi A3, a motorist coming the opposite way and the HGV.

All three vehicles suffered extensive damage, the crash causing both axles on Cordock's car to snap.

Cordock, who pleaded guilty to the offence, said: "It was a bad error of judgement."

The defendant's driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points and was fined £250. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and pay costs of £85.