Telford mother, 27, is jailed for horror bike crash near Bridgnorth

Melissa Winwood, 27, was at the wheel of her Saab which struck Wayne Jones, leaving him with a broken thigh bone, a broken wrist, a broken ankle and a dislocated shoulder.

The crash happened on the A442 near High Rock, in Bridgnorth, on August 27, 2017 when she attempted to overtake a caravan.

At the time Mr Jones, 31, who was travelling in the opposite direction was taking his motorcycle test when the collision happened on a blind bend along a stretch of road with double white lines, meaning no overtaking is allowed.

Mother of two Winwood, of Stanwick, Sutton Hill, was found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a trial last year. She had blamed the collision on a fault on the car which she claimed had felt "wobbly" prior to the incident.

But sentencing her at Stafford Crown Court on Monday, Judge Jonathan Gosling said Winwood did not pull over during the journey despite her claim.

"There is clear evidence from the driver behind that she was looking to overtake earlier than that so she must have had it in mind to overtake. It was clear that she had intended to overtake the caravan."

"Victims have a right to see justice done and the public expects that that as well. The sentence must be consistent.

"You have to understand that taking risks while driving must be severely punished," Judge Gosling told Winwood.

Difficulties

The prosecution argued that Winwood was overtaking a caravan and it was her fault that there was a collision with Mr Jones, who is still suffering pain. The court heard he underwent a series of operations to repair the fractures.

Barrister Mr Paul Smith, mitigating, said a prison sentence would create difficulties for Winwood and her children, who will be cared for by her family.

She told the court Winwood, a diabetic, also suffers with anxiety and depression.

Mr Smith added that Winwood was left "deeply sad" by the situation.

Winwood was travelling to Bridgnorth to visit relatives with her two young children when she came face to face with Mr Jones, test examiner Robert Hall, who was thrown clear from his machine, and another rider Lisa Hanbury. Mr Hall and Ms Hanbury were unhurt.

The judge also read aloud extracts from Mr Jones's victim statement in which he stated that his "injuries have been life-changing", had resulted in him using a walking stick and unable to help to care for his children.

Judge Gosling jailed Winwood for 14 months and extended the immediate road ban imposed in August 2018 following the trial, to a total of 26 months.