Driver jailed after horror crash left nurse with life-changing injuries

The actions of Paul Walkden behind the wheel left Patricia Stanley in hospital for three months and she now has to use a wheelchair.

Miss Stanley's Vauxhall Corsa was flipped over in the impact on the B4176 near Bridgnorth. She was trapped inside for 40 minutes and had to be freed by firefighters, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.

She suffered multiple injuries including a fractured pelvis, seven fractured ribs, hearing loss and a permanent shortening of the right leg. She has had 12 operations to treat her injuries – and is preparing for another in the new year.

The court yesterday heard Walkden, who was driving a Ford Fusion, attempted to overtake another car on the stretch of road between Sutton Maddock and Shipley in wet conditions at about 7.15am on January 3.

Miss Stanley, 47, was on the way home from a night shift as a clinical nurse manager and had slowed after a warning for ice came up on her car dashboard.

Miss Samantha Powis, prosecuting, said: "Another driver in front of the defendant said he saw the defendant's car coming up behind up from nowhere.

"The driver estimated the defendant was going about 50mph to 60mph.

"The defendant overtook the driver and as that happened there was a flash of lights in the other direction.

"The defendant tried to swerve but didn't manage to complete the manoeuvre and wiped the other car out."

The court was told Miss Stanley's hip was still broken and she is awaiting a hip replacement.

Miss Powis said: "The best case scenario is that she will be able to walk again with the help of sticks and hopes to get back to work. However she will never be able to go back to her previous position because of her reduced mobility.

"She had been a nurse for 31 years and had a spectacular career. She used to be very active and now at the age of 47 is currently confined to a wheelchair."

Walkden, 57, of Wolverley Avenue in Wolverhampton, had admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing and was yesterday locked up for 19 weeks.

Mr Simon Warlock, for Walkden, said it was 'a bad piece of driving' and Walkden had apologised on many occasions to Miss Stanley.

Mr Warlock added: "It was a momentary lapse of concentration that left him in hospital for six weeks and he cannot return to work. He cannot use some fingers and has a lasting disability due to his own fault."

Judge Peter Barrie told Walkden: "

She is likely to be in permanent pain and has suffered profound and life-changing injuries. I know you have shown genuine and profound remorse."

Walkden was also disqualified for driving for three years and was told he must take an extended driving test before he is allowed to drive again.