DAD Darren Kitson, who had a lucky escape from a car crash in March, appeared in court on Tuesday charged with driving without insurance.

Kitson, 23, of Audley Road, Chippenham, had been driving his girlfriend's Citroen Saxo when the accident happened.

Although he pleaded guilty to the offence, he told the court that he thought his own motor insurance covered him in his girlfriend's car, but he later discovered it did not.

Andrew Watt-Jones, defending, said: "He fell into that trap that many people do. He had fully comprehensive insurance on his own car and thought he was covered for third party, fire and theft on another car.

"He was uninsured without realising it."

At the time of the collision Kitson told the Gazette he felt lucky to be alive. He was not wearing a seat belt.

His 19-year-old girlfriend Diana Davey and two-year-old son Jamie Lee had been in the car at the time of the accident, at Market Place, Chippenham.

The court heard how Mr Kitson indicated right from Timber Street and pulled out onto the roundabout. But another car came out of nowhere and hit the driver's side of the Saxo.

The driver of the second vehicle was uninjured but Kitson was trapped in his car and had to be cut out by the fire brigade.

Although magistrates accepted his explanation, Kitson was fined £150, ordered to pay £35 towards prosecution costs and six penalty points were put on his driving licence.

Kitson also pleaded guilty to the charge of causing danger of injury due to vehicle condition after the accident revealed the Saxo had worn tyres He was fined £60 and three penalty points were put on his driving licence.