A drink-driver who’d lied to police that he wasn’t at the wheel in a hit-and-run smash with a parked van on Boxing Day had left his DNA on a car airbag, a judge heard.

Caernarfon crown court was told that Robert Griffiths, 49, of Lloyd George Close, Llandudno, had been affected badly by the death of his mother twelve months earlier and became maudlin.

Jonathan Austin, defending, said he clipped the van and spun out of control. “He acknowledges the stupidity of what he did after the accident happened,” counsel remarked. The defendant feared losing his job, if jailed.

Griffiths admitted drink-driving and dangerous driving on the A5 at Cerrigydrudion.

Judge Timothy Petts said the crash happened 30 miles after Griffiths left Llandudno. He’d been driving in the middle of the road and another driver with his family in his car had to swerve to avoid him.

Judge Petts said :”It’s clear you do have a drink problem and you had relapsed in grief over

Christmas.”

The judge said there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. An eight months suspended jail term was imposed with rehabilitation and 100 hours unpaid work. A two-year ban with an extended test was ordered and Griffiths must pay £85 costs.