A MOTORIST who narrowly avoided smashing into another car head-on and hitting a child while driving through a red light has been fined.

Adakata Moses, 35, was driving a grey Saab 95 in Brinkley Road, Colchester, when he drove through the light at a pedestrian crossing.

He overtook a car which was waiting at the lights, nearly smashed into another one and only just missed a child crossing the road.

Moses, of Braeburn Road, Colchester was sentenced at Southend Magistrates’ Court for careless driving.

He was given eight points on his licence, a £440 fine, a £44 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £90 costs.

The incident happened in December 2016.