Cannabis driver left me paralysed
JON MACPHERSON
ADRUG driver who knocked down a dog walker leaving him partially paralysed has been jailed.
Jake Smith was driving his Seat Ibiza at speeds of up to 68mph in a 30mph zone when he collided with Wilf Walker, 70, close to his home on Blackburn Road in Great Harwood.
Police said Smith’s car, which had bald tyres and incorrect tyre pressure, then collided with a wall and several parked vehi- cles. The collision happened shortly before 9pm on August 17 last year.
Officers said as a result of the collision Mr Walker received ‘life changing’ injuries. He is now paralysed from the chest down, has only small movements in his arms and needs round the clock care. Mr Walker has also been forced to move from his home of 37 years and is unable to stroke his beloved pet dogs.
Smith, 22, of Wharf Street, Rishton, pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through cannabis and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He was jailed at Preston Crown Court for three years with a five-year driving ban which will start upon his release and ordered to take an extended retest.
Speaking after the hearing Inspector Claire Pearson said: “This collision left Mr Walker with life changing injuries and shows the absolutely devastating consequences that speeding and drug driving can have on people’s lives.
“This significant custodial sentence reflects the gravity of Jake Smith’s offending and I hope will serve as a warning to other drivers to be responsible when they get behind the wheel of a car.” FEARS have been raised that bus shelters could be removed in Huncoat after a spate of vandalism.
Shelters on Bolton Avenue and Burnley Road near Accrington Crematorium were targeted by yobs last weekend, with damage being caused to the metal frames and perspex panels.
Councillor Dave Parkins said there have now been more than half a dozen incidents in the last few months, including other attacks on shelters in Huncoat village and near the Vauxhall garage.
He fears they could eventually be removed by the council to avoid further repair costs.
He said: “It’s very upsetting for the old folk and vulnerable people who have got to stand out there and catch the bus.
“If we are not careful the council could take them away if it doesn’t stop, as it’s money being poured down the drain. Then people wonder why there isn’t any money.
“We tried to fix them ourselves but we couldn’t get the perspex back in. We then had to go to the council engineer and get a contractor to repair them. They have done a lot of damage.
“We haven’t contacted the police as there isn’t any point. They won’t be able to do anything.”