Another sleep apnoea driver jailed

Hayden Bailey, 54, of Birchgrove Close, Newport, South Wales, was returning from delivering bread in Chippenham when the incident happened on April 13 last year.

Prosecuting, Dan Williams said his 18-tonne lorry hit a near-side crash barrier, veered across two lanes and through the central reservation. It collided with a Nissan Primera driven by Leonard Nicholls, 69, from The Heath, Cyncoed, who was driving his wife, Evelyn, 68, to a garden centre.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that an ambulance was called, but Mr Nicholls had suffered multiple injuries and died at the scene. His wife also suffered serious injuries.

Bailey pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving. Defending, Ian Dixie said Bailey was sincerely sorry for the pain caused to Mr Nicholls's family. Mr Dixie said medical examinations since the incident revealed Bailey suffered from severe obstructive sleep apnoea, which he was not aware of at the time.

Just last month, in a separate case, 61 year old Ian King was jailed for four years after his 30-tonne lorry ploughed into a car carrying a family of four, all of whom were killed. Mr King was also later found to suffer from sleep apnoea - a respiratory condition which disrupts sleep and can cause drowsiness.