A cocaine drugged car driver crashed through a red light and sent a tractor and trailer into a row of houses.
Matthew Cumpsty drove a silver Mercedes E-Class through traffic lights in Chester.
He crashed into a JCB tractor, causing it to veer off the road.
The JCB and its trailer ploughed into houses, leaving a trail of devastation.
Two homes suffered serious structural damage.
Cumpsty, 52, was arrested at the scene in Green Lane, Chester, after failing a roadside drug test.
A toxicology report revealed he was over the limit for benzoylecgonine (cocaine) with 65 micrograms per litre of blood, over the limit of 50mcg.
Cumpsty, of Oldfield Drive, Great Boughton, appeared at Chester Crown Court where he was given a 12-month community order, including 200 hours’ community service.
He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.
He was banned from driving for 16 months.
He had pleaded guilty at an earlier to driving under the influence of drugs and dangerous driving.
Pc Richard Phillips, of Chester Police, said:
“While Cumpsty has shown remorse for his actions, the impact of his actions that day were life-changing and it was pure chance that nobody suffered any serious injuries.
“As a result of one bad decision to get behind the wheel while under the influence, several families were left homeless.
“Also, commuters travelling into Chester were left with serious disruption for several weeks while repair work was undertaken.
“In addition, Cumpsty is facing a lengthy driving ban.
“I hope that this ban will give him time to reflect on his actions that day.”
