Crash left motorcyclist paralysed

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_west/8550568.stm

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A motorist who left a motorcyclist paralysed and needing lifelong care "like a baby" has been given a 30-week suspended jail sentence.

Andrew Jones, 21, of Llanberis, near Caernarfon, Gwynedd, was adjusting his car radio when he drifted across the road and hit rider Andrew Peat, 35.

At Caernarfon Crown Court he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on the A4086 near Llanberis in July 2009.

The court heard that he apologised to Mr Peat for the "dreadful" injuries.

The hearing was told Mr Peat, of Caernarfon, was paralysed for life after fracturing his spine in the crash between Llanberis and Nant Peris, at the foot of Snowdon.

In an impact statement read to the court, the former meter reader for Welsh Water described being "totally reliant on others for my personal care and wellbeing".

He said: I'm constantly willing my legs to move but nothing happens. I'm an adult who has been cared for in hospital like a baby, completely dependent on others."

Jones, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, was banned for 30 months and must take an extended test to regain his licence.

'Custody threshold'

He was told to carry out 300 hours' unpaid work and was also given a 7pm-7am curfew for four months.

John Wyn Williams, defending, said his client was a respectful young man who had never been in trouble before, and was described by his employer and reliable and considerate.

He said Jones wished to apologise to Mr Peat and his family for the injuries caused.

Judge Merfyn Hughes QC told Jones his explanation was that he had been doing something with the radio "for no more than just a second or two", moving across the road and colliding with the approaching motorcycle.

He said the offence crossed the custody threshold but he was going to suspend the sentence for the momentary dangerous driving.