A DRINK driver has been jailed for 16 months and disqualified from getting behind the wheel for 50 months after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Stuart Dowding, 38, of Thornley, Durham, was given a six-month interim disqualification at Taunton Magistrates' Court on August 25 and referred to Taunton Crown Court for sentencing.

The case was brought following a collision on Wednesday, January 26, on the A372 Westonzoyland Road, Bridgwater.

Dowding was driving his BMW X1 at about 10pm and was involved in a head-on collision with a car travelling in the opposite direction after leaving his lane on a bend in a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre.

The woman driving the other vehicle, also a BMW X1, suffered serious long-term injuries as a result of the collision.

Dowding was found to have 155 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, almost twice the legal limit, as well as prescription drugs in his bloodstream.

Acting Sergeant Owen Davies, the lead investigating officer in the case, said: “Mr Dowding told us he was experiencing serious side-effects from prescribed medication and blamed this for his decision to drink and then drive.

“His erratic driving was witnessed by other motorists in the moments before the collision and his actions have caused a lasting injury to a woman who was simply making her way home from work.

“It’s never acceptable to drink and drive and anyone taking prescription medication has a further responsibility to make sure they are fit to get behind the wheel.”​