A couple were seriously hurt in a crash when a German businessman drove his Mercedes on the wrong side of the road, a court has been told.

The car crashed head-on with the couple's Citroen 2CV, injuring 71-year-old driver John Gooch and breaking his wife Mary's hip and leg.

Mercedes driver Stefan Lassek, 36, of Minden in Wesphalia, admitted careless driving on Henfield Road, Albourne, near Haywards Heath.

Mark Bishop, prosecuting, said Lassek had left his home in northern Germany at dawn to catch a ferry to Dover and drive to Chichester for a business meeting. A colleague was in the passenger seat.

He said: "He took the wrong turn off the A23 and went on to the wrong side of the road while negotiating a sharp bend. He collided with the Citroen travelling in the opposite direction".

Mr and Mrs Gooch were both injured and taken to Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath.

Lassek told police he was lost when the crash happened.

Anthony Morris, defending, told the court: "Mr Lassek went to the assistance of the couple. As he is a qualified first-aider he could see their injuries were serious and asked a passer-by to call the emergency services".

Mr Morris described it as "a momentary lapse in concentration". He said it was only the second time Lassek had driven in the UK.

Lassek was fined £400 with £50 costs and his licence was endorsed with four penalty points.