A COKED-up takeaway driver left a pensioner with life changing injuries when he smashed into him whilst speeding in his unsafe van.

Carl Maughan knocked the 79-year-old onto the bonnet of his van as he reached speeds of up to 50mph on a busy high street with witnesses describing the sound of the impact as a 'mini explosion'.

The elderly man suffered a bleed on the brain, multiple fractures and was placed into a coma as a result of his injuries, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Maughan's van had failed its MOT with 19 serious problems, including urgent repairs required to the headlights, brakes and suspension, but he had driven 2,000 miles it failed.

The victim's devastated family said he has lost his independence since suffering the catastrophic injuries in January and now has to live in a residential care home while he continues to recover.

In a heartbreaking victim personal statement, his family spoke of the impact his injuries continue to have on him nine months after the incident.

The pensioner is now dependent on help to move around and still suffers as a result of the brain injury leaving him feeling disorientated.

Rebecca Brown, prosecuting, told the court how Maughan had been done for drug driving again since the accident in January and received a £200 fine after admitting having cocaine in his system.

Miss Brown said the defendant was aware of the repairs required to his van after a series of damning messages between him and a friend were read out in court.

The Northern Echo: Carl MaughanCarl Maughan

She said witnesses described Maughan as 'roaring off' at speed after the temporary traffic lights changed on West Road, Loftus, before ploughing into the pensioner with such force it sounded like a mini explosion.

Maughan, of Beechcroft Close, Saltburn, pleaded guilty to causing injury by dangerous driving, driving above the drug limit and driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

Robert Mochrie, in mitigation, said his client has shown genuine remorse for the 'sheer pain and suffering he had caused to the victim and his family'.

Judge Thomas Legard jailed Maughan for 27 months.

He said: "Prior to this horrific collision the victim was a fit, energetic man who enjoyed a full active, independent life as a result of being hit by you, he is a shadow of his former self."

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