A driver has been banned from getting behind the wheel for more than two years after a crash in St Albans that left a woman bruised.

Eoghan Macdonncha was driving a white Citroen Nemo van when he collided with a black VW Polo in London Road near to the junction with Drakes Drive around 11.15am on August 8.

The driver of the VW, a woman in her 70s, was left suffering the effects of shock and sustained bruising.

Macdonncha, of Meadway in Colney Heath, appeared at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on October 7.

The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen, driving without a seatbelt and driving with cords exposed on a tyre.

He was handed a 28-month disqualification along with a 26 week custodial sentence (suspended for 12 months).

He has also been ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid community service and will be required to re-take his driving test once he has completed the ban period.

PC Tom Williams, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit, said: “The victim and her family are pleased to know that Macdonncha will not be behind the wheel for some considerable time and I too share this relief.

“I hope that Macdonncha uses this disqualification period to think about his actions on that day. Dangerous driving will not be tolerated in Hertfordshire and we remain committed to ensuring that the county’s roads are safe for all.”