A DANGEROUS motorist who abandoned his Mercedes after smashing into a parked car in Ulverston has has his licence revoked.

In the early hours of September 17 last year Alan John Walton, of Spring Terrace, Newcastle, careered into the side of a Jaguar parked in Priory Road. It took the 39-year-old defendant 11 hours to contact the police following the crash.

Mr Peter Kelly, prosecuting, said: "Around 7am (on September 17) police were notified of a vehicle parked in Priory Road. A Mercedes was over a foot away from the kerb displaying bodywork damage."

Images were shown in court showing extensive damage to the side of the parked Jaguar, as well as considerable damage to the near side of Walton's Mercedes.

Mr Kelly added: "He said he had a tyre blow out at 4am.

"Under interview he said 'I think I've just driven into the kerb. I was tired I think I nodded off. I think it's happened because I've fallen asleep.'"

Mr Andy Gallagher, defending, said his client was asleep for only the briefest of moments and the police were informed as soon as he was able to do so.

"He was charged with dangerous driving after an admission he made in interview that the accident was caused from his falling asleep. The defendant assumes it was momentary and accepts that.

"He did contact the police on his mobile phone when it was charged up. That was not reasonably practicable. That is why he entered a guilty plea."

Appearing at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (17) Walton pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, and failing to report an accident.

District Judge Gerald Chalk sentenced Walton to 200 hours of community service for dangerous driving, and 100 hours for his failure to report. These will run concurrently.

He was disqualified from driving for two years, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £85 and costs of £85.