A DRIVER who had never passed a driving test was jailed after smashing into a set of traffic lights after a police chase.

Darren Bennett, 38, was already on bail for crashing into a Transit van in his Ford Focus when he hit the lights less than a week later.

Prosecutor John Warren said unlicensed Bennett was spotted behind the wheel by police before driving at speeds of 63mph in a 40mph zone.

Mr Warren told Cardiff Crown Court: "Bennett was driving on the wrong side of the road on North Avenue, Tredegar, when he swerved to avoid a police car, resulting in him colliding with the Transit van with his partner in the passenger seat."

And the court heard how just six days later Bennett crashed again. This time into the traffic lights.

He said: "He reached a dangerous speed of around 63mph in a residential area with pedestrians and other vehicles either side of the road."

South Wales Argus: JAILED: Darren Bennett

Bennett (pictured) appeared via video link and admitted careless and dangerous driving, driving without insurance, and driving without a licence whilst in possession of class B drugs.

Judge Eleri Rees said: "Bennett showed no thought for anyone's safety, not even your own and it was a relief that no pedestrians were hurt.

"It was perhaps pure good fortune that no one was injured."

Bennett, of Laburnam Avenue, Tredegar, was sentenced to one year imprisonment and disqualified from driving for two years and 32 weeks.