Man sentenced for dangerous driving
A speeding driver knocked down a pedestrian and left his teenage passeneger with catastrophic head injuries.
A speeding driver who knocked down a pedestrian and left his teenage passeneger with catastrophic head injuries has been jailed.
Brian Taylor, 23, is facing 32 months behind bars after he lost control of his Renault Clio at a roundabout on Cushey Cow Lane in Ryton.
A police investigation found he had been driving at more than double the speed limit when he left the road and hit 61-year-old David McLeish.
Mr McLeish survived the collision on June 16 last year but was left with life changing injuries after spending weeks in hospital.
However, 19-year-old Bethany Oliver remains in hospital and still requires round-the-clock care. She was travelling as a passenger with Taylor and suffered severe head injuries during the incident.
Taylor, of Springwell Close, Winlaton, Gateshead, admitted two counts of causing serious injury dangerous driving and was yesterday (Tuesday) sentenced to 32 months behind bars at Newcastle Crown Court.
He was also handed a five year four month driving ban.
Acting Inspector Lynne Mckevitt, of the Motor Patrols department, said:
"We hope the sentence handed down by the judge today sends a message to those who speed on our roads.
"Brian Taylor was doing more than double the speed limit when he hit David McLeish and his actions have seen two innocent victims suffer life-changing injuries, particularly in the case of Bethany Oliver who remains in hospital.
"He will now have time to reflect on the consequences of his actions but this case should serve as a warning to anyone else who thinks it is okay to ignore the speed limits on our roads.
"Speed limits are there to avoid incidents like this and if anyone does decide to flout those laws then we will bring them before the courts."
Northumbria Police continue to run Operation Dragoon which is aimed at targetting dangerous drivers across the force area and bringing them before the courts.
The team often rely upon intelligence from our local communities and anyone with information about somebody who is breaking the law should contact the team on 101 or call 999 in an emergency.