A BRIDGWATER teenager who deliberately swerved his car and injured two people has been spared jail.

Joshua Heal, 19, of Imperial Way, Bridgwater was sentenced for dangerous driving at Taunton Crown Court on Friday, August 17.

The incident occurred at around 2pm on Saturday, November 4 last year, when Samantha O'Leary and her male partner were out in Street with family including a grandmother and two children.

Samantha O'Leary and the male victim were stood in the road next to a car containing family members when they noticed a Vauxhall Corsa heading in their direction at approximately 30-40mph, the court heard.

Herc Ashworth, prosecuting, said: "As it approached it suddenly swerved directly towards the pair and connected, knocking them to the ground."

Mr Ashworth said the male victim only suffered some bruising which healed in a matter of weeks, however Miss O'Leary was not so lucky.

"She suffered an injury to her anterior cruciate ligament which left her on crutches and unable to work for months," Mr Ashworth said.

"It will never truly heal without surgery but Miss O'Leary is unable to commit to the required rehabilitation programme at the present time."

The car was dented and driven off, and was later seen on CCTV footage in a nearby car park which four young were seen abandoning the vehicle.

The defendant was later arrested and gave a no comment interview but when his phone was confiscated it was discovered he had searched 'hit and run' and looked up the law surrounding it.

Mr Ashworth said Miss O'Leary had been left unable to work for a number of months and feels fear going out since the incident.

Defending, Anjam Arif, said the motive for Heal's rash actions was ongoing drug-related animosity between himself and the male victim, which dated back three or four years.

Mr Arif said: "This young man is lucky the consequences of his actions were not a lot worse as there were young children nearby when the incident happened.

"He took the rather foolish and irresponsible decision to swerve car toward the individual.

"He maintains that it was not his intention to strike the victim but to simply to frighten him.

"However his lack of experience as a driver led him to lose control and misjudge the distance.

"He is deeply remorseful."

While discussing compensation, Judge Cook read a letter submitted by Heal's grandfather.

Heal had been helping out on his father's scrapyard, and Judge Cook recognised the name and address and realised he had previously presented him in a case more than a decade ago.

He said that he felt it was important for justice to be seen to be done and asked Judge Ticehurst to carry out the sentencing.

Judge David Ticehurst sentenced Heal to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years. and disqualified him from driving for two years.

He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation and undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.