Richard Newton was filmed driving with his two hands behind his head for around 30 seconds by a police road safety camera van on the A171.

He has been found guilty of dangerous driving and received a 12-month driving ban, 100 hours of unpaid community work and a fine.

David Robinson, a solicitor at Thompsons who specialises in serious road traffic accidents, said: “This incident shows the sheer lack of consideration that the driver had for other road users.

“Apart from being unbelievably foolish, the act put the driver and others at serious risk and could have had potentially devastating consequences. Thankfully, the police road safety camera van ensured that Richard Newton could be held accountable for driving in such a reckless manner.

“At Thompsons we know too well the affects of serious road traffic accidents. Dangerous driving costs lives and motorists must understand that they are responsible for their actions when they get behind the wheel.”