Suspended Sentence for Learner Driver After Motorcyclist Suffers Life-Changing Injuries
A learner driver has been handed a suspended prison sentence after causing a collision that left a motorcyclist with devastating, life-altering injuries including brain damage and multiple fractures.
Curtis Brooks, 33, admitted causing serious injury by careless driving and driving without a licence following the incident that occurred on Mansfield Road in Clipstone, Nottinghamshire, on June 13 last year.
The Incident and Immediate Aftermath
The court heard how Brooks, who held only a provisional driving licence, approached a roundabout in the left lane before suddenly swerving to the right. This manoeuvre caused him to collide with a motorcyclist who had been travelling beside him, knocking the rider from his bike.
At the time of the collision, Brooks was being supervised by his partner, who was reportedly on the phone. Additionally, the vehicle failed to display the legally required L-plates that would have alerted other road users to the presence of a learner driver.
Victim's Devastating Injuries
The 66-year-old motorcyclist suffered catastrophic injuries that have fundamentally changed his life. According to a statement provided to Nottinghamshire Police, the victim sustained significant brain damage alongside nerve damage to his left arm and hand.
His injuries also included multiple fractures to his spine, neck, and thirteen ribs. Before the crash, the man described himself as "fit and independent," capable of caring for himself, his wife, and his extended family including grandchildren.
Now, according to police statements, he lives in "constant pain and discomfort," with his independence and quality of life severely compromised by the collision.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Mansfield Magistrates' Court on Thursday, January 22, Brooks received a 24-week jail sentence suspended for 18 months. In addition to the suspended sentence, the court imposed several other penalties designed to address the seriousness of the offence.
The defendant was handed a one-year driving ban, ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and made subject to a 12-day rehabilitation activity requirement. These measures reflect the court's recognition of both the severity of the victim's injuries and the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Police Response and Road Safety Warning
Sophie Law, of Nottinghamshire Police's serious collision investigation unit, commented on the case, stating: "Although this result cannot change the fact that the victim has suffered such serious injuries, I hope Brooks facing the courts can provide some comfort to him and his family."
She continued with a stark warning about road safety: "This incident goes to show how ignoring the rules of the road can have serious consequences for not just the driver, but for other road users. Learner drivers are held to the same standards as any fully qualified driver, and we would expect them to be safely supervised too."
The case serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibilities that come with operating a vehicle on public roads, particularly for those still in the learning phase of their driving journey.
