A driver has appeared in court charged with smashing into a set of traffic lights whilst drunk.

Saqib Mahmood is accused of crashing into the road furniture at the roundabout at Junction 15 of the M4 in the early hours of February 12.

It is alleged that the 26-year-old was driving his Skoda Superb when he left the road, travelling down the embankment and taking out the traffic lights that controlled the exit slip road from the westbound carriageway.

Police were informed about the crash at around 3.40am on Saturday, February 12.

Swindon Magistrates’ Court was told on Tuesday morning (August 30) that Mahmood was found in the area around 45 minutes after the crash.

Mahmood, of Cressingham Road in Reading, pleaded not guilty to driving whilst unfit through drink and failing to stop after an accident.

Defence solicitor Paul Gilmartin said that his client does not accept he was driving the car at the time of the crash.

He has been released on unconditional bail pending his trial at the same court on January 27, 2023.

A case management hearing, which he is not required to attend, has been listed for November 7.

The damage caused by the crash remained for weeks after the collision and motorists were affected after cabling was damaged.

Traffic stretched back onto the M4 carriageway at times, one motorist told the Adver previously.