A MAN who fell asleep at the wheel, causing a serious crash that left three people with life-changing injuries, has been banned from driving for two years.

Ben Mykhal Holmes, 31 and from Bournemouth, was sentenced for careless driving at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, July 19 following a crash in January 2018.

The court heard how Holmes drove to Weymouth in the early hours of January 24 but that he started to feel "unwell and a bit tired" so pulled into a layby at the side of the road, where he slept for more than an hour.

Shortly after continuing on his journey on the A354 Relief Road, Holmes lost consciousness at the wheel.

The prosecutor, Charles Gabb, said this was due to obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome, a condition that Holmes was diagnosed with after the crash.

Mr Gabb said this had "catastrophic results" as Holmes' white Ford Transit van collided head on with a Vauxhall Zafira travelling in the opposite direction.

This car was carrying three people: 36-year-old Amanda Vanstone, 54-year-old Julie Adams and 55-year-old Tim Goodwin. All lived in Weymouth and were travelling to work at the Forston Clinic in Dorchester.

Mrs Vanstone was driving the car and told the court she had "absolutely nowhere to go" as the van hurtled towards her.

Addressing the court, she said: "Not a day goes by when I don't remember being in that car. The actions of this man have changed me completely.

"I can still feel the impact and hear the noise, I remember being in so much pain and not being able to breathe."

The victims were stuck inside the crumpled car for more than two hours before firefighters managed to cut the roof off.

"Glass was smashed everywhere," said Mrs Vanstone, "I saw smoke coming from the engine and I thought the car was going to catch fire.

"He took the best parts of me and nearly cost me my life."

While Holmes left the scene relatively unscathed, Mrs Vanstone was severely battered and bruised, Mrs Adams had five separate sets of injuries to her internal organs and Mr Goodwin suffered severe chest injuries that led to extensive surgery and left him in a coma.

Mr Gabb said all three are still suffering with long-term physical and psychological problems.

In a statement, Mrs Adams said she was not the same person that got into that car. "I will never forget as long as I live. I had visions of us going up in flames.

"Not a day goes by when this horrific accident does not affect me."

Mr Goodwin said in a statement read by Mr Gabb that the accident was "life-changing" and that no matter how remorseful Holmes was, it would never be enough.

Holmes' defence, Sushil Kumar, read out a statement from the defendant that said he "would forever feel guilt and sadness" and that he apologised with all his heart.

Judge Climie said of Holmes: "He is described as a perfectly decent and respectable man, but following his stop in the layby he should not have driven off at all. He should have appreciated the level of risk.

"The long term affects [of the victims] are difficult to comprehend for anybody other than those living through them. They are life sentences."

He handed Holmes a two-year driving ban and ordered him to pay a £650 fine and £85 costs.