Driver broke nurse's back while fleeing police

A dangerous driver who broke a nurse's back and pelvis in a crash while attempting to flee police has been detained for two years and four months.

Naser Al Soaimi, 19, was also seriously injured when he smashed his Citroen into another car while travelling at almost twice the 30mph speed limit in Newcastle in April, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The driver of the other car said her injuries left her unable to work and ruined her wedding day a few weeks later, while her car had to be written off.

Al Soaimi, who was trying to escape a police pursuit as he had no licence or insurance, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Police spotted Al Soaimi driving a black Citroen, which he had bought on Facebook for £150, along the Coast Road at about 20:45 BST on 1 April last year, prosecutor Jessica Slaughter said.

A check revealed the car was not insured so officers attempted to stop it, but Al Soaimi drove off at speed.

He went through red lights and the wrong way round a roundabout as he headed towards the centre of Newcastle before reaching Claremont Road, the court heard.

Travelling at 58mph along the residential street, Al Soaimi slammed into a Volvo that was pulling out of a junction, Ms Slaughter said.

The woman driving the Volvo had to be cut free and was taken to the nearby Royal Victoria Infirmary where she was diagnosed with fractures to her pelvis and vertebrae in her spine.

In a statement read to the court, the woman said the injuries had a huge effect on her life and left her unable to work for months afterwards.

She got married three weeks after the crash and said being on crutches "massively impacted her dream day", adding she was unable to dance and looking back at the pictures would always remind her of the trauma.

She also had to cancel a planned honeymoon in Paris, which had cost the newlyweds a lot of money.

Having the celebrations ruined would "bother" her forever, she said.

The woman added the Volvo had been of great sentimental value, having been passed down to her by her late stepfather, who had cared for it meticulously.

The court heard Al Soaimi was born in Kuwait and moved to the UK when he was aged about 11, settling in Newcastle where he obtained GCSEs.

He was studying business at Newcastle College at the time of the crash, but had to give it up due to the serious injuries he suffered, which included a bleed to the brain, multiple fractures to his right leg, seven broken ribs and a broken arm.

He has since moved to Sheffield with his family, who are appealing a rejection of their asylum status, for a "fresh start", his barrister Rachel Hedworth said.

She told the court Al Soaimi made the "absolutely stupid" and "completely irrational" decision to buy the car and he was genuinely remorseful for causing the crash.

Recorder Anthony Dunne said Al Soaimi had "no right" to be driving and it was "difficult to believe no-one was killed" in the crash.

Al Soaimi, of Jenkin Road in Sheffield, was also banned from driving for three years and two months and will have to pass an extended driving test.

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