A MUM whose car struck an A14 crash barrier and spun 360 degrees after she fell asleep at the wheel is today banned from the road.

A MUM whose car struck an A14 crash barrier and spun 360 degrees after she fell asleep at the wheel is today banned from the road.

Magistrates heard the dramatic smash on the Felixstowe-bound carriageway at Kirton took place with Clare Carter's nine-year-old daughter in the back seat.

The impact was so severe that mechanics declared the 40-year-old's Vauxhall Astra a write-off after the accident.

Carter, of Recreation Close, Walton, pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving.

South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court was told the defendant had been driving home from a concert at Thetford Forest at around 11.35pm on July 11 when the accident took place.

When police arrived on scene, Carter immediately admitted falling asleep at the wheel.

Mark Holt, mitigating, said his client had not slept properly in the days leading up to the crash because an operation had left her in pain.

He said Carter had “momentarily shut her eyes” and revealed she and her daughter had been left unhurt but extremely shaken after the incident.

The court heard the dual carriageway had been empty at the time.

“The road was wet which didn't help the situation once she had lost control,” added Mr Holt.

Justices were told Carter had a clean licence and had never previously been before the courts.

Carter was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the community, told to pay �85 towards court costs and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

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