Telford driver with no licence 'catastrophically' injured woman in pub car park - trapping her under car

Michael Morris, 30, of Wealdstone, Telford, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to one charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He had also admitted using a motor vehicle without third party insurance and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

The court heard how Morris had hit his victim in the car park of the Barley Mow pub in Madeley on the evening of May 3, 2024.

Distressing details of the incident were described in court: the woman was dragged along while stuck under the car and Morris had to be told to stop because people noticed someone was trapped.

The court heard friends urged him to flee the scene, but he stayed and helped in attempts to lift the car off the stricken victim.

Alura Bather, prosecuting, detailed the catastrophic injuries suffered by the victim and their life-long impact.

She was in and out of a coma for two months, suffered multiple fractures to her skull, jaw, back, and legs, as well as injuries to her pancreas and liver.

The victim was initially told she would never walk again, and left hospital in a wheelchair, requiring visits from carers six times a day.

Ms Bather said the victim is no longer able to work and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the incident, which has left her with flashbacks and nightmares.

The court was told that Morris did not have a driving licence, and had previous convictions for driving while under the influence of a controlled drug and for driving while disqualified.

Ms Bather said he had tested positive at the scene of the incident for cannabis.

‘Profoundly sorry’

Robert Edwards, mitigating, read a letter from the defendant apologising to the victim.

It said: “My name is Michael and I write this short note to say how profoundly sorry I am I hit you with my dad’s car. It was an accident and I cannot apologise enough.”

It added: “I know this does not change anything but I wanted to express how sorry I am.”

Mr Edwards said: “When he becomes aware it is a person trapped under the vehicle not only does he stop but he remains at the scene, despite a prosecution witness saying he should go. Not only that, he does his best to try and physically lift and jack the car off the victim.”

Morris has spent 12 months on a qualifying curfew awaiting sentence, which Mr Edwards said has been “difficult”.

He said: “He is a young man who hitherto is someone who has been used to having a degree of freedom, going out to socialise, and for that period of time he’s not been able to do that.”

Sentencing Judge Trevor Meegan said: “On May 3, 2024, over two years ago, you drove your car in a pub car park in darkness on a wet surface at a speed and in a manner wholly inappropriate for the environment.

“You struck your victim, who was lawfully present, and was dragged under the vehicle, before coming to a stop when eye-witnesses intervened.”

Judge Meegan said the effect of the incident had been severe, leaving the victim disabled as a result.

He said: “She has described the persistent and enduring impact the offence has caused on every aspect of her life.

“She suffered catastrophic physical injuries.”

Judge Meegan said Morris’s driving “clearly fell significantly below the standard of a competent and careful driver”.

Morris was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison - and will serve 40 per cent of that, although the time he has spent on curfew will count towards the sentence.

He was also disqualified from driving for four years and four months, and will be required to take an extended test to secure a licence.