An LNG accountant yesterday admitted to causing a head on collision that set his car on fire and left another driver with serious injuries.

Mohammed Ali Dabbour, of Virton in Belgium, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. He was ordered to pay a total of £440 and disqualified from driving in the UK for 12 months.

Haverfordwest magistrates court heard how Dabbour had overtaken a Ford Fiesta and a HGV in the dark on a virtually blind bend with no passing place on the A40 near Clerkenhill farm.

Tim Roberts, for the prosecution, said that Dabbour was alongside the HGV when he collided head on with a silver Mercedes, driven by 65-year-old John Smith.

Dabbour's vehicle caught on fire and Mr Smith suffered from fractured ribs and spleen. He was in hospital for around a week.

Katy Hanson, for the defence, said that Dabbour was very remorseful and sorry for the injuries he had caused Mr Smith. She said the accident had been a "genuine mistake" that her client had admitted to right from the outset.

The magistrates fined Dabbour £350 and ordered him to pay £75 costs and a £15 victim surcharge. They said that normally the charge would carry a community or even a custodial penalty, but in the circumstances, with Dabbour having finished his LNG contract and living in Belgium, a fine was more appropriate.