A FORMER soldier has walked free from court after driving four miles the wrong way down the A1 before smashing head on into another car.

Karl Ashley Glease - who suffered horrendous injuries - ignored the warnings of oncoming drivers as they frantically flashed their lights, claiming he had simply taken a wrong turn, a court heard.

The other driver involved, Hayden Hendricks amazingly walked away from the wreckage with just a fractured jaw.

Paul Nicholson, prosecuting, said 30-year-old Glease, of Esh Winning, County Durham, was found unconscious in his car and the emergency services noted a smell of alcohol.

He later explained there had been some cans which could have ruptured in the impact, an explanation that was accepted.

When he reached hospital, he consented to a blood test to determine if there was any alcohol in his system but was rushed in for emergency surgery before it could be undertaken. A small wrap of cocaine was found in his wallet.

Leeds Crown Court heard Glease was badly injured in the collision in the early hours of April 21 last year and was unable to recall events.

However, police believe he took a wrong turn when joining the motorway at junction 46 near Wetherby, North Yorkshire.

The other driver involved Mr Hendricks had been heading northbound and had just overtaken two lorries when he saw white lights ahead of him but thought it may be roadworks.

Mr Nicholson said a mini bus driver with 16 passengers on board saw Glease approaching and he and a lorry driver both flashed their lights in warning as he passed by.

They saw no brake lights and seconds later the collision happened.

Nicholas Rooke, for Glease said he volunteered for a blood test because he had not taken anything and as a result of the accident had suffered horrendous injuries.

"It is clear from the medical reports he is extremely fortunate to be alive," he said.

He added Glease had been in a coma for a time, had undergone nine operations and had a “metre of scarring on his body.”

He had a stent fitted in his heart and the ongoing impact was enormous, with him due to return to see a heart specialist later this month.

“He was formerly an active man, who served in the armed forces, he now cannot run, cannot walk long distances, and cannot even pick up his two year old daughter.”

Mr Rooke said that night Glease was going to visit his mother in Kettering and “took the wrong exit when he got to Wetherby.”

“He made a mistake and is extremely remorseful.”

During his time in the army he had seen served in Iraq, Northern Ireland and the Falklands and suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which caused him to commit some drink related offences, but this was in the past.

He urged the court not to jail Glease bearing in mind his remorse and the continued rehabilitation he is undergoing.

Glease, of Station Avenue, Esh Winning, admitted dangerous driving and possessing cocaine and was given a 12 month prison sentence suspended for two years and banned from driving for two years.

Recorder Caroline Wigin told him: "Four miles is a long way to drive in the wrong direction” but added that she was dealing with the case on the basis that he was not under the influence at the time and that it was a “one off occasion of driving”.

She said it was very fortunate for Mr Hendricks he did not suffer worse injuries in the collision which had left Glease with extensive injuries “although it does appear in the long term you will make an adequate recovery.”