(Liam Jones-Bell has been jailed for 40 months)
Liam Jones-Bell was twice the legal alcohol limit and also had traces of cocaine in his blood when he hit the girl and a 65-year-old woman as they were crossing a road last month.
The 25-year-old, of Laindon, has been sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment after pleading guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
In court, the girl he hit gave a statement about the impact his actions have had on her life.
“Because of my injuries I have missed out on my first ever residential school trip to an activity centre. I will miss my dancing show that I have been working towards for two years. I can’t play netball and have missed tournaments.
“I also didn’t get to sit my SATS which I have been working hard on.
“This means that when I go up to senior school I will be split from my friends and put in a lower class until I can show the teachers I need to be in a higher class.
“I just want to be normal, play with my friends and join in, but at the moment I am not allowed in the playground in case I hurt myself.
“I know with time I will get better, but I will never forget the accident.”
The 65-year-old woman is still seriously ill in hospital after suffering a life-threatening head injury and fractured pelvis.
Jones-Bell had been driving a Mercedes when he hit a kerb in Coronation Avenue on Wednesday, 16 May.
The car careered across the road and struck a garden wall, before travelling back into the road and colliding with the two victims.
Jones-Bell fled the scene, driving away with two flat tyres and abandoning the Mercedes in Mucking Wharf Road.
Police found two empty wine bottles in the glove box of the car and a can of cider nearby. His fingerprints were found on them.
He’d taken the vehicle, which had been hired by someone else, from an address in Basildon.
A driver saw Jones-Bell acting suspiciously as he walked along the side of the road and she called the police, who arrested him at the Five Bells roundabout in Fobbing.
Jones-Bell was also charged with failing to stop after a collision, aggravated vehicle taking, drink-driving, driving while unfit through drugs, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
He admitted all charges when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court yesterday.
As well as the prison sentence he was given, Jones-Bell was also banned from driving for eight years and eight months.
At the end of the driving ban, he will have to take an extended retest.
Senior Investigating Officer Inspector Rob Brettell, of Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This sentence shows the courts view on the seriousness of driving whilst intoxicated through drink and drugs.
“Jones-Bell set about on a course of destruction when he choose to get behind the wheel of that car. He has now destroyed the lives of a number of families who will have to live with the consequences of his actions forever. I would like to thank the witnesses who called police on the day and assisted our investigation.
“This sentence shows the courts view on the seriousness of driving whilst intoxicated through drink and drugs.
“Jones-Bell set about on a course of destruction when he choose to get behind the wheel of that car. He has now destroyed the lives of a number of families who will have to live with the consequences of his actions forever.
“I would like to thank the witnesses who called police on the day and assisted our investigation.
“If you know anyone who you suspect to be driving under the influence of drink or drugs please do call Essex Police or Crimestoppers to report it.”
Tags: Thurrock, East Tilbury
