A BARRHEAD dad was left so exhausted by working to pay for his daughter’s education that he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into another car.

Robert Senkowski was so tired as he drove along the town’s Aurs Road that he lost control of his Vauxhall Zafira Exclusiv and ploughed into a Skoda Superb.

The details emerged this week when 45-year-old Senkowksi appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court to go on trial over the events of November 8, 2016.

He pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, in breach of the Road Traffic Act 1988, after the charge was reduced from dangerous driving.

Procurator fiscal depute John Penman told the court that Senkowski, of Cedar Place, Barrhead, was driving northbound at about 6am when the crash took place.

He said: “The accused finished late shift at his work in the Hamilton area and drove home to Barrhead.

“Around 20 minutes later, he was driving northbound on Aurs Road and fell asleep and his vehicle drifted into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

“Both vehicles collided, causing extensive damage to the front of each car, but neither driver was injured.

“The airbags had deployed and the crash occurred on what’s described as ‘a straight stretch of road’ and the accused’s vehicle was on the other side of the carriageway.

“Police arrived and the accused approached them and informed them he had fallen asleep.”

Officers took Senkowski’s details and a report was submitted to the procurator fiscal.

Defence solicitor Graeme Brown said dad-of-four Senkowski is supporting his daughter as she studies for a degree in medicine.

He added: “His daughter is hoping to become a surgeon but there is a significant period of training still to go.

“It was a cold morning and he perhaps turned the heating up too quickly and the sudden urge to fall asleep came upon him very quickly.”

Sheriff Frances McCartney opted to spare Senkowski a road ban, instead placing seven points on his licence and fining him £270, reduced from £300 because he admitted his guilt.