Driver left cyclist with 'life changing injuries' after crash

Jenny Clayton, of Norley Close in Whitecross, appeared in Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after she pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Prosecuting, Cheryl Mottram told the court that on April 14, 2023, Clayton’s victim was riding a push bike on Priestley Road shortly before 4.10pm.

The court heard that traffic was slow moving on the approach to the Pink Eye roundabout, while more free flowing on the other side.

The victim approached the zebra crossing, which the court heard was completely visible at the time, on his bike and was allowed to pass by the slower traffic.

It was heard that he crossed and paused at the central reservation to look to his left, and then set off once again.

The victim was hit by Clayton as he was attempting to cross Priestley Street (Image: Google Maps)It was at this point that the 51-year-old’s car drove down from the roundabout and towards the crossing, noted by witnesses as ‘moving quickly’.

Instead of stopping at the crossing to allow the victim to pass, Clayton continued driving, hitting him in the process.

It was heard that a witness to the accident believed the victim would have had enough time to cross the remainder of the road, if not for Clayton’s car.

Ms Mottram told the court that the vehicle continued to drive past the crossing, with the victim on the bonnet before he span off of it and into the air.

One witness said that she believed she saw the victim ‘spin three times in the air’ before he fell to the ground.

CCTV footage of the collision was played in court which showed Clayton’s car continue past the crossing before abruptly stopping.

The court heard that Clayton told on lookers ‘it’s not my fault’ and ‘I didn’t mean to do it’.

Police and an ambulance attended and the 51-year-old was arrested after failing a roadside drugs test.

Cheshire Police has confirmed a blood test revealed that morphine was present in Clayton's blood at the time of the collision, but it was under the legal limit.

The victim was taken to hospital where it was confirmed that he had suffered serious fractures to his skull, a brain injury and was in a coma.

He stayed in hospital care for a total of four months and has been living in a rehabilitation centre since the incident due to the fact that his injuries are so severe he now requires ‘around the clock care’.

Emergency services attended the scene (Image: Louisa Williams)

'He's not the same person'

An impact statement was read out on behalf of the victim’s son, who wrote the statement instead of his father who was unable, and was present in court.

It said that the victim has not lived at home since the incident, which took place when his youngest son was just 16.

“He now spends most days in a chair with nothing to do,” the statement read.

“He’s not the same person. His life is completely unrecognisable from what it was before.

“I no longer feel like a kid. I feel like a grown man responsible for the family.”

It was also heard in court that the victim used to provide for family in Yemen, including his wife, and was helping fund their move to the UK. This has now not been able to happen since the incident, causing the family’s separation to be exacerbated.

“This is a very sad case,” said defence barrister, Olivia Beesley.

“It’s sad for the victim, it’s tremendously sad for the victim’s family, but it is sad for Ms Clayton as well.”

Ms Beesley told the court that forensic evidence of the scene revealed that Clayton was travelling along the road at 30 miles per hour, which is the speed limit, but that she ‘should have slowed down’.

The 51-year-old’s medical history was also shared as mitigation, including the fact that she was previously diagnosed with breast cancer for which she is in remission, has lymphedema and has to use a walking stick.

Clayton, who appeared in court in a flowery top and blue cardigan, wiped tears from her eyes with tissues throughout the hearing.

'He was the glue for his family... and now he is not'

During his sentencing remarks, Judge Anil Murray referred to the victim’s injuries as ‘life changing’ and that the victim impact statement made for ‘tragic listening’.

“He was a hard-working man who also provided for his family,” said Judge Murray.

“He was the glue for his family and the centre of his family’s activities and now he is not.”

Judge Murray told Clayton that the mitigating factors provided on Clayton’s behalf lowered her sentence as much as possible, but that immediate imprisonment was the only sufficient sentence.

Clayton, who has no previous convictions, was sentenced to 18-months immediate imprisonment and wept as she heard her fate.

She has also been disqualified from driving for two years and nine months, and must undertake an extensive test to be able to drive again.

"“This case demonstrates the life-long repercussions of driving dangerously, and Clayton’s flippant attitude towards road safety has resulted in a totally innocent man sustaining life-changing injuries," said Sergeant Andrew Dennison following the sentencing.

"Thankfully, she will spend the next 18 months behind bars where she will no longer pose a threat to road users.

“I hope that the conclusion of the case and the sentence handed to Clayton will give the victim’s family some closure and allow them to move forward with their lives knowing justice has been served.”