A MOTORIST whose dangerous driving in 'a moment of madness' on a Gwent road was recorded on another driver's dashboard camera, has been disqualified for 12 months.

Luke Witchard's actions on the A468 between Caerphilly and Newport on July 24 landed him in court in what is believed to be the first instance in the UK of dashboard camera footage being used to convict someone of a driving offence.

Judge Daniel Williams told him it was an 'extremely dangerous manoeuvre, albeit a shortlived incident'.

Footage shows Witchard, of Amroth Walk, St Dials, Cwmbran, overtaking the car fitted with the camera toward the end of a long, straight section between Lower Machen and Rhiwderin, with a 60mph limit.

The latter's driver, who prosecutor Martyn Kelly told Newport Crown Court admitted to driving at 62mph at the time, became aware of Witchard's car overtaking him.

"He was horrified at what happened next," said Mr Kelly.

"It continued on the wrong side of the road, then overtook the next car, forcing its driver to brake to let him in."

The latter action took place as the straight gave way to a left hand bend under a railway bridge. Double white lines had previously begun in the middle of the road, to indicate no overtaking.

"If anything had been coming the other way, there could have been a very unpleasant accident," said Mr Kelly.

"The driver reviewed the footage at home, and contacted police a few days later, as he felt they should know about it."

Tracked down through the registration number captured on the footage, Witchard told police he overtook as he felt the car in front - from which the footage was recorded - was going too slowly. He did not think he had room to pull in between the cars, so continued overtaking.

Mr Kelly said Witchard had not at first thought anything was wrong with his driving, but on being shown the footage, agreed 'it did not seem very good' and knew a lot of collisions had occurred on that road.

Harry Baker, defending, said Witchard, driving his mother's car at the time, had 'a moment of madness' at the wheel. He had subsequently lost his job as a result.

Witchard pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving at an earlier magistrates court hearing.

Judge Williams disqualified Witchard from driving for 12 months - he must take an extended test before regaining his licence - imposed a 12-month community order, and ordered him to pay costs totalling £240.

"This could well prove to be the first case of many across the UK, where dash cam footage has been used in court," said Richard Browning, director at dashboard camera Nextbase, on whose equipment the Witchard footage was recorded.

"We've seen dash cam sales rapidly increase over the last few years, and it comes as no surprise."