A DISQUALIFIED driver from Treuddyn left three people and himself seriously injured when he got back behind the wheel, a court heard.

Gavin Evans, of Queen Street, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Thursday.

The 36-year-old had previously admitted at the magistrates' court three counts of causing serious injury by driving while disqualified.

He was also tried and convicted on three further counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in the crown court, and was sentenced for all six on Thursday.

The court heard the defendant had made a "significant error in judgement" during an overtaking manoeuvre on the B5430 at Rhydtalog in Flintshire on October 4, 2021.

It had resulted in a collision injuring himself and three others: Isla Watts, Benjamin Ellis and Elliott Woodcraft.

Later it was also confirmed that he'd been over the legal limit for cannabis.

Reading a victim statement from Ms Watts, prosecuting counsel Richard Edwards said the victim had spent three weeks at Stoke University Hospital having suffered numerous injuries.

They included a broken foot, broken left and right pelvis, eight broken ribs and multiple deep lacerations which have left her with scarring.

"I had to undergo multiple lengthy surgeries," she said.

"With each physical step, I have a stabbing pain in my foot.

"I suffer flashbacks of the collision and depressed periods.

"I recently broke down in tears at a work meeting and I have had issues sleeping since the collision.

"This has left me feeling helpless and a burden on those around me.

"I've lost confidence in driving since. I am much more cautious and I am scared of being in harm's way."

Ms Watts said the incident was also traumatising for her family, adding: "It took several hours before my parents knew I was alive.

"For all they knew, I was dead - it was truly upsetting for them.

"This has changed the course of my life forever, and it'll take a long time - if ever - to get over the effects."

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In his statement, Elliott Woodcraft said he and the defendant had been car enthusiasts and had a mutual interest in restoring vehicles.

He said he cut off contact with him adding Evans had "always played the victim and never took any responsibility."

He became concerned when, after the incident, he saw the defendant had posted on social media about one of his cars "going away with a bang" before "storage time," which suggested to him he was either back out on the road or being driven around prior to his sentence.

Mr Woodcraft said the post was "insensitive" towards victims of the 2021 crash.

Patrick Geddes, defending, said he recognised his client's social media post may have been "lacking in sensitivity" but he wasn't aware it was being scrutinised.

He hadn't been back out driving in any event, Mr Geddes said - he couldn't due to his ongoing injuries.

"His lack of remorse is not correct," he continued.

"The responsibility and blame was always on him.

"He committed a significant error in judgement in continuing with that overtaking - it was a judgment he got disastrously wrong and all parties will clearly have an ongoing impact for the rest of their lives."

Mr Geddes said the impact had resulted in significant injuries for his client - including memory loss.

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Following the collision, he could not remember some significant life events prior to the incident - including the birth of his children, the court heard.

And he had also been left with mobility issues and poor balance.

Judge Niclas Parry told the defendant: "The matter is aggravated seriously by the fact that you have an appalling history of driving convictions including two previous convictions of dangerous driving.

"These will be your seventh, eighth and ninth convictions for driving whilst disqualified and you have many convictions for driving uninsured.

"Your main mitigation is that you have suffered life-changing injuries.

"You are now categorised as physically vulnerable."

The Judge imposed a three-and-a-half year immediate term of imprisonment, banning the defendant from driving for six years and nine months.