A VAN driver has been jailed and banned from driving after he crashed into a motorcyclist who suffered such serious injuries he had to have a leg amputated.

Earlier this year Rickie Lee Foster was found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in relation to an incident at the crossroads junction between Main Road and Eldon Bank, on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland, on June 11 last year.

The 22-year-old had driven straight over the crossroads in his Mercedes Sprinter van, colliding with a 56-year-old man who was riding his Harley Davidson motorbike.

The motorcyclist, from Newton Aycliffe, was seriously injured and had to have one leg amputated at the knee.

Foster, who is from nearby Leasingthorne, was subsequently charged.

While on bail, awaiting trial, he was also arrested for drug driving.

On April 8, Foster appeared at Teesside Crown Court and was sentenced to 21 months in jail and banned from driving for five years and ten months.

If he ever wants to hold a licence again he will have to take an extended test.

PC Paul Jackson, from Cleveland and Durham's Road Policing Unit, said: “Foster’s actions were unbelievably reckless.

"He drove with no consideration for other road-users and left an innocent man with life-changing injuries.

“I hope the sentence will send a clear message that if you are in charge of a vehicle you need to be in full control at all times.”