A driver who seriously injured another motorist when he smashed into another vehicle as he tried to evade the police was today (Thursday) given a suspended jail sentence.
Connor Barton, 25, struck the back of another car after driving onto the wrong side of the Baytree roundabout, near Spalding, on February 7, this year.
Lincoln Crown Court heard police had become aware of the silver Vauxhall Astra being driven by Barton on the A151 from Holbeach.
The court was told Barton slowed down but then sped off along the A151 before colliding with the other car which was being driven by a Romanian lorry driver.
An impact statement from the victim was read out in court.
He described how he spent six days in hospital with a fracture to his neck, a head injury and five fractured ribs. He also required eight weeks off work with a neck brace.
“My memory did not return until the next day,” he explained. “My whole body ached.”
The victim added: “My children were very scared and worried about me.”
Barton, of Carrington Road, Moulton Seas End, admitted a single charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Leanne Summers, mitigating, said Barton was giving two friends a lift home from a pub when he saw the police car and “panicked.”
Miss Summers told the court Barton had no previous convictions and read out a letter of apology from him to the court.
“I am deeply sorry for what happened,” it stated. “I am particularly sorry for the person who was injured.”
Miss Summers added Barton was worried that the loss of his driving licence would lead to the loss of his job.
Passing sentence Recorder Adrian Jack told Barton: “The police tried to stop you. They flashed their lights. Instead you drove off and went the wrong way round a roundabout.”
But Recorder Jack accepted Barton’s behaviour was out of character.
Barton was sentenced to 28 months imprisonment suspended for two years.
He must also complete 300 hours of unpaid work in the community, pay £150 costs, was banned from driving for two years and must take an extended retest.
