A drink-driver who was more than three times over the limit drove into the back of a cyclist on Christmas Eve causing catastrophic injuries.
Christopher Jones, 59, was extremely intoxicated when his Ford Fiesta collided with a bike ridden by Simon Edmonds on the A4042 between Abergavenny and Llanellen on December 24 last year.
Despite bursting his tyre and damaging his windscreen Jones carried on driving and left Mr Edmonds in the road while seriously injured. As a result of the collision the victim sustained subarachnoid bleeding, a collapsed lung, a laceration to his forehead, and multiple fractures and was kept in hospital for six weeks.
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A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday heard Jones had been out drinking and was illegally driving a car despite having his licence revoked due to his alcohol abuse. Mr Edmonds was a keen cyclist and decided to head out after days of bad weather and was seen by witnesses travelling on the A4042 with full cycling equipment and riding as close as possible to the side of the road.
Describing the collision Judge Richard Williams said: "[Jones] was driving at a slow speed but this wasn't because you were a conscientious driver but because you were so drunk.
"You drove into the rear of Mr Edmonds' bicycle and sent him flying. You didn't stop but drove around him and left him to his fate. Other people called an ambulance and the emergency services."
The defendant was later seen pulling into a lay-by and checking underneath his car before heading to his home in Delafield Road, Abergavenny, where he was visited by police and arrested. He initially claimed he started drinking in the house after returning from his journey and a breathalyser later revealed he had 120mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.
Jones later pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol, driving without a licence and without insurance.
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In a victim personal statement read out by prosecutor Jeffrey Jone, Mr Edmonds said he has issues with mobility, had become anxious and volatile, and was reliant on his wife.
He also required a Zimmer frame and crutches after being discharged from hospital and specialised equipment had to be fitted to his home and he is undergoing neuro-rehabilitation and physio therapy.
The court also heard Mr Edmonds has surrendered his driving licence as he no longer feels safe to drive.
In mitigation Nigel Fryer said his client wished to apologise to his victim and understood the impact of his offending on Mr Edmonds' life. He also said Jones lived a "solitary existence" and had lived with his mother for 30 years.
He conceded the "heart of these matters" was alcohol and noted the defendant's previous conviction for dangerous driving.
Sentencing, Judge Williams said: "The fact you were driving demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the road. You were intoxicated and took a deliberate decision to drive. That decision was taken by you without good sense or judgement which would have told you you were a danger to other people."
Jones was sentenced to three years imprisonment and was disqualified from driving for 11 years and six months.
Gwent Police was unable to provide a custody photograph of the defendant as he voluntarily attended the police station on arrest.
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