Court Driver jailed for horror crash that saw hero boyfriend lose his leg
ADRIVER found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following an incident in which man lost a leg has been jailed.
Ed Bowen was pinned to a wall by a car as it was driven by Charles McLean backwards down steep Nine Tree Hill, off Stokes Croft in Kingsdown, on October 20, 2018.
The 34-year-old told how he had pushed his girlfriend out of the way of the car and was then crushed by the back of it.
Mr Bowen went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated in the ambulance rushing him to hospital.
He underwent an 11-hour operation to save his life and had to have his left leg amputated. He also suffered other serious injuries, from which he is still recovering.
Mr Bowen was hailed a hero for his actions, and a fundraising page set up by his friends as he lay in hospital went viral.
McLean, 32, of no fixed address in Manchester, denied wrongdoing but was convicted after a trial at Bristol Crown Court which ended on July 29.
On Wednesday, Judge Julian Lambert jailed McLean for three years in his absence, and banned him from driving for six and a half years.
Describing Mr Bowen as “noble” for his actions, the judge said: “Mr McLean was convicted on robust evidence.”
Mr Bowen’s mum Julia told the Post: “I’m pleased it is a custodial sentence and it has drawn a line under it.
“The judge said Ed was noble for what he did.”
Earlier Mr Bowen said: “I’m very happy with the outcome.
“Court was a horrible experience, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. But it was the outcome we wanted and I’m just happy.
“My recovery is going OK, I’m up and walking, but there is still a long way to go.”
❝ Court was a horrible experience, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. But it was the outcome we wanted and I’m just happy. My recovery is going OK, I’m up and walking, but there is still a long way to go Ed Bowen, above