TWO youths suffered serious injuries when they were thrown from a powerful motorcycle after it collided with an oncoming car at high speed.

Durham Crown Court was told the Aprilla 650cc machine, stolen in a burglary three days earlier, was involved in a collision while being ridden on the wrong side of the road, in Layburn Place, Peterlee, about 2.30pm on November 22.

Ros Scott Bell, prosecuting, said no-one was injured in that accident, but the motorcycle was ridden away from the scene.

The court heard that the same machine was seen travelling at excessive speed, with a helmet-less pillion passenger rocking backwards and forwards, on the 40mph limit Burnhope Way, in Peterlee, about two hours later.

Such was the speed that a female motorist in a Honda Jazz could not see it approaching as she turned right onto Burnhope Way.

The motorcycle suddenly appeared from the right, and, despite a late attempt to swerve out of the way, a collision took place, throwing both the rider, Luke James Joyce, and his passenger high into the air.

Miss Scott Bell said both suffered serious multiple injuries, internal and external, including fractures, and each spent several weeks in hospital, as a result.

The female motorist, who was five-months pregnant at the time, escaped serious injury, but her car was written off, due to the damage.

She was worried it may have harmed her unborn child, but, since the incident, her fears have been allayed and the baby was born in good health.

But the court heard she was made anxious as to the outcome and still has flashbacks about the incident.

Miss Scott Bell said eye-witnesses spoke of their bewilderment at the speed and manner the motorcycle was being ridden prior to the collision.

Nineteen-year-old Joyce, of Vernon Terrace, Shotton Colliery, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, plus driving without insurance and other than in accordance with the licence.

Martin Scarborough, mitigating for Joyce, told the court: “Although he has no recollection of the accident, he accepts the accident was caused by his bad driving.

“He was riding with his friend on the back, messing about.

“He was initially on a life-support machine for three weeks afterwards and believes he was showing off, behaving recklessly.”

Judge Robert Adams said Joyce and his passenger have both suffered from events that day, while, “thankfully” the woman involved in the accident has suffered, “no adverse circumstances.”

He imposed a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and banned Joyce from driving for two years.