A DANGEROUS driver who was left in a coma after smashing into another car has been spared jail.

After hearing how Curtis Constantine suffered brain damage in the smash on Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, on April 7 Judge Elliot Knopf told him: “You have paid a heavy price and I accept that. It is the particular circumstances that cause me to draw back from imposing an immediate custodial sentence.”

Instead 23-year-old Constantine, of Darwen Road was sentenced to 17 months in prison, suspended for two years and was banned from driving for three years after which he will have to take an extended driving test.

Nicholas Clarke, prosecuting, told Bolton Crown Court that Constantine, was driving a Ford Fiesta on Darwen Road.

Witnesses described him as speeding in the 30 mph limit, overtaking a row of traffic waiting at the junction with Hospital Road and crossing through a red light.

Further down the road Constantine clipped the wheel of a Renault taxi and lost control, ploughing, head-on, into a Renault Clio in which Bethany Howlin and Emily Bradshaw were travelling.

“Thankfully the two young ladies in the Clio were wearing their seat belts. Both of them were able to walk away from the car with relatively minor injuries,” said Mr Clarke.

But Constantine was thrown through the passenger window of his car and suffered serious head injuries.

The court heard that the trained plasterer was in hospital for six weeks, has been left with cognitive, memory and speech difficulties and is unable to work.

At the time of the smash Constantine was on bail for offences including driving having taken cocaine and whilst banned.

He was due to be sentenced for the offences three days after the crash.

Constantine pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on April 7, driving whilst banned and without insurance. He also refused to allow a blood sample taken after the crash to be analysed.

“Just what that may be said to indicate would be a matter for speculation,” said Judge Knopf.

Constantine also admitted drug driving and driving whilst banned on December 2 last year.

Kevin Liston, defending, stated that Constantine feared he could have left his 10-month-old son without a father.

“He accepts, with hindsight, that he behaved in an idiotic and dangerous manner. It has been a sobering experience to say the least.

“He is grateful that it has happened to him and not to a third party.

“He is going to serve his punishment for his conduct on a daily basis for the rest of his life.”