CRASH DRIVER FREED FROM PRISON AFTER APPEAL WIN
A DRIVER who crashed head-on into a mountain rescue worker at 70mph after overtaking at a known “danger point” has been freed from jail.
Guto Sion Williams, 27, drove into Carol WestleyJones’ car on the A496 near Maentwrog, Gwynedd, on November 29 last year, leaving her badly injured.
Williams, of Caeathro, near Caernarfon, himself suffered such severe leg injuries he was left in a wheelchair, London’s Appeal Court heard.
He was jailed for six months at Caernarfon Crown Court last month after pleading guilty to dangerous driving.
But he was set free last week by three of the country’s most senior judges.
Mr Justice Warby, sitting with Mr Justice Jay and Lord Justice Treacy, suspended the six-month term after hearing that time in prison could com- promise Williams’ chances of walking again.
Ms Westley-Jones suffered severe whiplash and bruising to her throat and had to retire from her mountain rescue team.
But Williams had since experienced “severe remorse and depression”, the court heard.
He had been undergoing counselling and rehabilitation designed to get him back on his feet.
Allowing his appeal, Mr Justice Warby concluded: “It is not arguable that a sentence of six months was too long for this offence.
“However, the arguments that the sentence should have been suspended do have real force.
“His injuries were selfinflicted and he was at fault, but prison would have a disproportionately harsh effect on him.
“We do not consider that this is a case where justice can only be served by an immediate sentence of imprisonment.”