A reckless driver has been sentenced to more than three years in prison and disqualified from driving for over six years after causing serious injury to two children last year.

Dale Carter, 30, of Cotswold Avenue in Middlesbrough, was riding a motorbike under the influence of drugs with an 11-year-old pillion passenger when he collided with a parked car on Premier Road in Middlesbrough, leaving the boy with significant head injuries.

Carter, in an attempt to avoid a younger child in front of him, had swerved and crashed into a parked car, leaving his 11-year-old passenger with injuries which required hospital treatment at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

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He has been left with life-changing injuries.

A six-year-old boy suffered an ear injury requiring surgery.

Carter pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drug driving.

He was sentenced on Tuesday, January 17 to three years and three months in prison and a driving disqualification lasting over six years.

Following the sentencing, investigating officer, PC Nichola Lamport, said: “I am pleased with the sentence handed to Dale Carter. He was under the influence of drugs when he decided to take an 11-year-old boy on the back of his motorbike and crashed it, which left the boy with life-changing injuries. A second boy also needed surgery for an injury to his ear.

“This case shows how dangerous it can be to drive any vehicle whilst under the influence and how, in a split second, the consequences of doing so can be devastating.”