A NEWPORT man who seriously injured three elderly people by driving dangerously was sent to prison today.

Daniel Jackson, aged 20, of Roman Way, Caerleon, pleaded guilty to three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving on Ponthir Road in Caerleon, on August 23 last year.

The court heard from prosecutor Andrew Jones how Jackson was under the influence of alcohol and cannabis when he and a female passenger sped down the 30mph road at excessive speed.

Jackson lost control of the car as it went round the narrow bend of the road and hit three pensioners - Stephen Oakerbee, 64, from Newport; and couple Gloria, 72, and Albert Hellyer, 80, from Dorset - as they were crossing the road with two other friends following a wedding anniversary celebration at The Stuffed Doormouse restaurant.

The court heard how Jackson had only bought the Vauxhall Corsa car the day before and had driven it without insurance.

Mr Jones said the three pensioners ‘suffered life-changing injuries.’ Mrs Hellyer said she saw the car coming around the corner fast as she was crossing the road.

“She was hit by that car driven by the defendant and was flown in to the air - when she hit the tarmac she describes not being able to feel her legs,” said Mr Jones.

Witnesses describe the defendant as driving ‘like a boy racer’ before losing control hitting the group.

The group suffered multiple injuries. Mr Hellyer had a fracture to his left knee; Mr Hellyer had a fracture to her spine, coxis, left knee and is in a wheelchair for the foreseeable future; Mr Oakerbee suffered a fractured eye socket, cheekbone and wrist and now has no vision in one eye.

In her victim impact statement, Mrs Hellyer said her injuries meant losing her independence and said she has only left the house three times since October.

“Bert is the love of my life - he is not meant to be my carer,” she said.

“I feel lucky to be alive but it will never be the same.

“I wonder if it would have been better, easier, if I had not survived.

“My independence has been taken away from me.”

Mr Hellyer said before the incident they couple had been fit, active individuals enjoying retirement.

“Caring for Gloria is a full-time job,” he said.

“The spontaneity of our relationship has been taken.

“I am grateful that we both survived the accident but life is not a patch on what it was.”

Mr Oakaby said he is no longer the active man he used to be, after losing nearly all of his vision. He said the incident affected all aspects of his life.

The three victims, accompanied by several family members, were present at the hearing.

Claire Pickthall, defending, said Jackson feels ‘immensely guilty for what he has done.’

“The harsh reality of a case like this is that everyone had their lives changed that night,” she said.

“Nothing I can say today can change what happened.

“He will have to live with what he has done for the rest of his life.

“He accepts that running away from the scene was a cowardly act and it was done in panic.

“The only thing he could do to mitigate the damage he caused was to enter a guilty plea.

“He did have a clean driving licence at that time and he is 21 next week.

“The guilt of what he has done will live with him forever.”

The court heard how Jackson already had juvenile convictions for drug offences.

Judge David Morgan sentenced Jackson to 48 months for each count to run concurrently.

He will serve half his sentence and is banned from driving for a period of ten years.

He will only be allowed to drive again after that time by passing an extended driving test.

Jackson, wearing a grey tracksuit, cried as the sentence was imposed.

Judge Morgan said Jackson had carried out ‘disgraceful driving.’

“[The offence] is so severe that only a custodial sentence can be justified,” he said.

“On the 23rd of August you were driving a Vauxhall purchased only the day before but with flagrant disregard for the law you did not take out insurance.

“You were driving the car at excessive speed and the result was that when Mr Oakerbee and Mr and Mrs Hellyer were crossing the road, you ploughed into them.”

Commenting on the sentence Albert and Gloria Hellyer and Stephen Oakerbee said: “We understand the judge has limitations on sentencing, however we would like to thank the police and representatives of the criminal justice system who bent over backwards to support us this last year, especially PC Chris James who has been a stalwart throughout.”