An 81-year-old retired minister has been banned from driving after going to sleep at the wheel in a case which his barrister said had “an element of tragedy.”

The Rev David Julian Dredge had collided with roadside fencing, causing damage to the front of his Mercedes, including a wheel.

“He confirmed that he had fallen asleep saying he’d had a bad night, “said Diane Williams, prosecuting at Llandudno court.

In addition to a year’s disqualification, with a compulsory extended re-test before he can drive again, he was fined £1,000 with £185 costs .

Court chairwoman Grainne McDonagh said no community order was being imposed “due to your age, previous good character and continuing commitment to work in the community.”

Dredge, a retired Church in Wales priest, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on January 13 in Rosehill Street, Conwy. He had been driving back to his home in Treforris Road, Dwygyfylchi after visiting a Llandudno bank.

Defence barrister Sam Aynsley said no one had witnessed the collision and no traffic nor pedestrians had been involved. However Dredge had at once told police he had fallen asleep, not seeking to minimise what had happened by finding an excuse.

He had not felt particularly tired that day but had “drifted off to sleep.”

After the heartbreak of losing his wife he had not been able to sleep at night. Mr Aynsley said it was accepted there would be a driving ban and this would cause him problems in his attendance at churches at Conwy and Craigydon. Although retired, the church still occupied 100% of his life, also involving attendance at church and house groups and social events.

“To an extent he will have to reply on the generosity of others. It will have an inevitable impact on the life of this man of impeccable character.”

The barrister commented that age and disability in his later years – he walks with two sticks – and the loss of a licence after many years meant “a significant element of tragedy.”