A PORTUGUESE lorry driver who fell asleep at the wheel was jailed for dangerous driving after tearing off a 150-metre section of the M20 crash barrier on Monday morning.

Jose Da Conceicao-Pedrosa, 46, from Leiria, was driving between junctions eight and nine at around 4.15am when he crashed into the barrier.

Pedrosa pleaded guilty at Ashford Magistrates Court that afternoon.

Peter Holt, prosecuting, said that a breath test indicated that Pedrosa was over the legal drink driving limit, but that the question of whether he was drink driving was still under investigation.

Terry Knox, defending, said: "He said he was driving because he wanted to fulfil his obligations and deliver his cargo before 8am. Because of the decision not to pull over by the services he has lost his job."

Pedrosa was jailed for 60 days and disqualified from driving in the UK for 12 months.