A MAN left a driver within 1cm of losing his leg after travelling at double the speed limit, becoming air-born and smashing into the front of his van.

Jonathan Michael McCormick, 36, of Alexander Square, Eastleigh, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury to Craig Davidge by driving dangerously in Matchams Lane, Christchurch on May 24, 2019.

He appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on Friday.

The court heard how McCormick and Luke Simpson, a co-defendant who was acquitted for dangerous driving and convicted of careless driving at an earlier hearing, picked up two Mercedes cars from Bournemouth Airport to take them to Southampton Airport.

McCormick overtook Simpson about a mile from Snowtrax before hitting Mr Davidge’s Mercedes Sprinter van.

Daily Echo: Police at the scene of a crash in Matchams Lane on May 24, 2019. Picture: Corin Messer, Bournemouth Daily Echo

Prosecuting, Alec Williams said: “The speed limit for that section of road was 40mph. This defendant was driving a vehicle that was spotted by witnesses driving erratically, approaching speeds estimated to be in excess of 80mph.

“The victim described the following: ‘I remember being confronted by an oncoming car out of control, the wheels were off the ground.

“’The car crashed into the front wheel of the van. I was immediately stationary’.”

The court heard how Mr Davidge was trapped in the cab of the car and saw blood covering his leg.

He tried to move his foot from under the pedals and saw two bones sticking out “at a right-angle”.

Mr Davidge was told in hospital he was “1cm away” from losing his leg.

He spent 18 days in hospital, needing operations on a broken tibia and fibula, has since split up with his girlfriend and finds it difficult to socialise.

He has not been able to work since the crash and said the incident has “ruined my life”.

Witnesses driving behind the victim reported seeing McCormick come round the bend “in a blink of an eye” and “in mid-air”.

Mitigating, Kevin Hill said the defendant accepted full responsibility and had suffered an injury himself which he accepted was his own fault.

He said he suffers from ADHD and didn’t take his medication at the time of the incident.

McCormick had a previous conviction for driving with excess alcohol in 2010.

Recorder Richard Mawhinney sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment and banned him from driving for 15 months.

Daily Echo: Emergency services on the scene of a crash in Matchams Lane on May 24, 2019. Picture: Corin Messer, Bournemouth Daily Echo

He said: “At the time of the accident you were ahead of Luke Simpson. You indicated for him to pass.

“He did so before you overtook him, returned to your lane and then the collision occurred.

“On any view your speed was grossly excessive. Mr Davidge sustained serious injuries, he was fortunate not to have been killed. He is partially disabled for life and his outlook on life has totally changed.

“You have your own difficulties with ADHD and you were on medication. You had not taken it on this occasion and went all guns blazing.

“There are no winners here. The sentence will be one of immediate custody.”

Before being taken down, McCormick expressed his remorse to the judge.

He said: “I have to live with what I have done, if I could apologise I would, I know he will never accept it, but I know it is my fault.”