A MAN who crashed his car after blacking out at the wheel was disqualified from driving yesterday.

William Leafe, 66, of Otterburn Close, Darlington, had previously pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and driving with no insurance in October last year.

Stephen Rich, prosecuting, told Darlington Magistrates' Court that police were called to an accident in Albert Road, near to the Cleveland Industrial Estate.

A car was found partly blocking the road, close to a damaged lamp-post.

Mr Rich said the driver had been pulled from the car by the time the police arrived and was later taken to hospital.

When interviewed, he admitted he did not have a licence and was not insured.

Chris Bunting, defending, said that Leafe suffered from occasional black-outs, which had caused him to leave his job in the construction industry.

He said Leafe had suffered a black-out shortly before the crash.

Leafe was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order, had six points put on his licence and was ordered to pay £55 costs.