A NORTH Wales man has narrowly avoided a prison sentence after pleading guilty to dangerous driving between Bala and Trawsfynydd.

Llewellyn Parry-Jones, 21, of Borras Hall Lane, Llan y Pwll, Wrexham has been sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, disqualified from driving for two years, fined £1,000 with over £400 costs and given a 120-hour community order when he appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday, 31 August.

On 10 June, an officer from the Roads Policing Unit was conducting patrols on the A4212 between Bala and Trawsfynydd in an unmarked patrol car as part of North Wales Police’s Op Darwen campaign, when he was overtaken by Parry-Jones in a BMW 118 car at excess speed and contravening solid white lines. He then continued on his journey as was seen overtaking two motorcycles – one whilst travelling uphill on a left-hand bend. The officer followed the driver on blue lights where he eventually stopped near Trawsfynydd.

Sergeant Emlyn Hughes of the Roads Policing Unit said: “The footage is quite shocking and just shows how dangerous the manoeuvres were, with the driver not only risking his own life, but those of other road users.

“His driving that day was highly irresponsible and incredibly dangerous and it’s only through sheer luck he didn’t meet any oncoming traffic. This could have ended tragically.

“Solid white lines are there for a reason and it should have been obvious to any careful and competent driver that overtaking on those bends was dangerous.

“All motorists must be aware that we are doing all we can to ensure our roads are used safely by all, with our dedicated Roads Policing Unit taking robust action to prevent fatal or serious road traffic collisions.”

He added: “Our Op Darwen campaign, which is aimed at reducing death and serious injuries on the region’s roads as well as promoting driver and rider safety will continue, with high visibility patrols being carried out along key routes which have been identified as risk areas.

“Reducing casualties on our roads remains one of our top priorities. We will continue to target, with a view to prosecution, all those that ride or drive dangerously, at excess speed, overtake on solid white lines or commit any other road traffic offences.”

Officers are also reminding motorists that they can submit dash cam footage of any driving offences they witness on the roads of North Wales as part of All Wales’ Operation Snap.

The operation – which involves members of the public submitting their dash cam footage or photographs as evidence has the full support of the Crown Prosecution Service. Dash cam footage can be submitted via the Operation Snap campaign here https://gosafesnap.wales/

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