A Mid Wales detective whose unmarked police car careered into another vehicle killing a 43-year-old man has been fined £2,000 and banned from driving for a year.Ashley Brice, of Kerry, Newtown, was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving at Caernarfon Crown Court yesterday, but convicted of the lesser charge of driving without due care and attention.

The judge told the 33-year-old he had driven aggressively and at excessive speed and said had he been found guilty of the more serious charge, he would have received a substantial jail sentence.

Gareth James, 43, from Llandegley, Llandrindod Wales, died on October 10, 2005, shortly after the Vauxhall Astra he was driving was in collision with Brice’s unmarked police Ford Mondeo, on the A483 Newtown to Llandrindod Wells road, at Bwlch Gate, Dolfor.

The court heard Brice overtook a lorry and three cars, approaching a bend, before losing control of the car, hitting the verge and colliding with Mr James’s car coming in the opposite direction.

Judge John Rogers QC told Brice that there had been overwhelming evidence to convict him of driving without due care and attention.

“You were driving a powerful police car and you aggressively overtook three cars at speeds of around 80mph,” he said.

“You knew it was a severe bend ahead. You lost control and were in collision with Mr James’s car. You drove aggressively at a very excessive speed.

“If you had been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, I would have sentenced you to a substantial period of imprisonment. I have no power to imprison you.”

He said Brice was of excellent previous good character and had an enviable driving record.

Mr Robert Jones, for Brice, said although suspended from driving by the police, he had continued other duties.

“He wishes to express publicly he very much regrets the consequences of that day,” he said.

Brice and Mr James’s family declined to comment after the hearing.

By Sue Austin