The driver of a Ford Escort XR3i ended up in a ditch when he collided with the rear of a Ford Fiesta travelling in the same direction, magistrates heard.

Paul Castle, 19, of Swarbourne Close, Didcot, admitted careless driving.

Didcot magistrates heard he had been attempting to overtake several vehicles on the A4130 going towards Wallingford on November 4 last year.

Helen Waite, prosecuting, said as he went to overtake the Fiesta, a car pulled out of a junction ahead and was approaching him.

When he pulled back and clipped the Fiesta, Castle lost control and ended up in a ditch.

Miss White said the Fiesta driver, who was eight-and-a-half months pregnant, was extremely distressed and crying uncontrollably after the crash.

Castle suggested that there could have been a defect with his car which caused the accident, but police found nothing wrong. Miss Waite said witnesses claimed Castle was overtaking too fast.

Castle insisted his speed was not excessive, although he admitted he had misjudged the speed of the other vehicles.

He was fined £200 with £55 costs and his licence was endorsed with seven penalty points.