A Carlton man has been jailed after being behind the wheel of a speeding car that caused a crash that left a woman requiring surgery.
Rhys Courtney, aged 22, was driving in close proximity to several other vehicles on the A52 near Bramcote when the collision occurred on the evening of 18 January last year.
Officers arrived at the scene at about 10pm and were immediately confronted with a serious collision involving three vehicles – one of which had been hit from behind and sent spinning off the carriageway.
The female passenger suffered a broken collarbone in the incident, while the male driver sustained significant bruising.
A dog travelling in the car also required veterinary treatment as a result of the crash.
Courtney was spoken to at the scene and was arrested nine days later.
During his police interview, he initially claimed to have been driving at around 60 or 70mph after deciding with a friend to “drive around the area aimlessly”.
Courtney was then confronted with damning mobile‑phone footage showing his silver Seat rapidly closing on the car in front before hitting it as he swerved to avoid it.
He then admitted to going “a bit fast” and claimed the incident had made him a more cautious driver.
Courtney, of Carlton, later pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday 4 March, he was jailed for 18 months.
He was also banned from driving for two years and nine months. If he is to drive legally again, he will have to pass an extended re‑test when his ban expires.
Courtney appealed the sentence when it was imposed. That appeal has now been dismissed.
PC Pip Luxton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“Courtney can consider himself fortunate not to have killed anyone with his reckless and dangerous behaviour.
“The victims in this incident were doing what the vast majority of road users do every single day – driving within the speed limit in a safe and sensible way.
“Their reward for that care and consideration was to be hit violently from behind by a man who chose to go out that night and drive dangerously and aggressively.
“I am pleased he has now been held to account.”
Inspector Usha Madara, district commander for Broxtowe, added:
“As Courtney has discovered to his cost, the consequences of this kind of behaviour can be very serious indeed
“I hope what has happened to him acts as a warning to other young men about the consequences of such recklessness, stupidity, and disregard for the safety of other road users.”
