A FATHER whose careless driving led to a head-on crash in which two cars exploded was allowed to keep his licence yesterday, after magistrates heard he needs to take his seriously ill baby son on 80-mile round trips to hospital.

Andrew Basham told Darlington Magistrates’ Court he had tried to avoid hitting anyone else but could not stop his Renault Clio crossing the A68’s central reservation at Burtree and careering into a Citreon C3.

The drivers were pulled from the wreckages of their cars before they burst into flames.

Both men suffered extensive injuries, with 32-year-old Basham fracturing his spine and the 60- year-old driver of the Citroen fracturing his spine, breast bone and elbow.

Basham pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention on October 12 last year.

David Maddison, prosecuting, told the court yesterday that one witness had said Basham had overtaken the car she was a passenger in, which was travelling at 65mph.

“(Another witness) said she felt the Clio had been travelling at a speed which was far too fast for the conditions,” he added.

Basham told the court he had not been speeding and was unsure what had caused the loss of control, but conceded he may have been travelling too fast for the damp conditions.

He said he had been driving for 17 years and has never had a point on his licence or been in trouble with the law.

Representing himself, the factory worker said: “I do apologise and I was at fault.

“I used to think I was a careful driver, but obviously I couldn’t control the car with the conditions on the road. I was obviously going too fast for the conditions. I never meant for anything to happen.”

Basham, who spent seven weeks on crutches, told the court he needed his car to take his sixmonth- old son, who was born two months prematurely and has water on the brain, to hospital appointments.

“I take him to hospital. My girlfriend’s recovering from pneumonia and I also have to take her to hospital for x-rays.

“I work really unsocial hours – my shifts are 6pm to 6am – and there’s no buses at this time.

“I tried hard to get away from hitting anyone else but I couldn’t stop the car. I am so sorry for what happened.”

Magistrates fined Basham, of Teesdale Walk, Shildon, County Durham, £165, ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge. They also endorsed his licence with six penalty points.