Fears that a missing dog could attack a child saw a Rhydlewis man crash his car and clock up a string of motoring offences in the process.

John Anthony Davies, 53, of Brynfach, appeared before Aberystwyth magistrates on Wednesday to admit two charges of driving without insurance, and two of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Kevin Challinor, prosecuting, told the court that police arrived at the scene of a single vehicle crash on the Rhydlewis to Glynarthen road at 12.30am on August 30.

They found Davies' damaged Citroen Berlingo with the airbag deployed and the keys still inside, but no driver in sight.

Officers went to his home and noticed he had injuries to his scalp and blood on his hands. They discovered Davies only held a provisional licence and there was no valid insurance covering the vehicle.

Davies admitted he had been driving the car and had also driven it the previous day.

Janem Jones, defending, told the court Davies had volunteered information about the earlier offence and told officers he had only been to put petrol in the vehicle.

Ms Jones told the court Davies was "being penalised for being absolutely honest".

She said: "He lives on farmland and has a dog which he relies on. It's quite a fierce dog and when he realised it had gone missing he feared this dog might bite children.

"He put petrol in his car and foolishly went to look for it.

"He was terrified that this dog could bite a child."

Miss Jones said Davies had held a provisional licence for 20 years, but had not taken his test as his ex-partner drove, but they had recently separated.

Davies also pleaded guilty to failing to attend court the previous week, claiming he had been mistaken about the date, and that he had attempted to surrender himself at Llanelli court as soon as he was aware of his error.

Magistrates fined Davies a total of £360 and ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

He was also disqualified from driving for six months.