A MOLD man has been spared jail after crashing a car and fleeing the scene - leaving his best friend in agony with a broken spine.

Michael Jones, of Alyn Street, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Thursday morning.

The 23-year-old had previously admitted offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving without insurance and failing to stop after an accident.
Elen Owen, prosecuting, told the court the victim, Dominic Fitzjohn, regarded Jones as his best friend.

On January 7, the defendant asked Mr Fitzjohn if he wished to go for a drive.
Believing Jones has passed his driving test, the victim agreed and they set off at around 12.45am.

But Jones had not passed his test, and had no insurance.

From the start, the defendant drove "very fast," and appeared to struggle to control the vehicle.

He travelled at speeds of 50 to 60mph in 20mph areas, and "well over 60" on the dual carriageway at New Brighton, where he braked heavily at traffic lights and made a right turn on the wrong side of the road.

Mr Fitzjohn repeatedly told his friend to slow down, but the defendant's response was: "Nah, it's sound."

A short time later, Jones failed to make a turn and crashed into a brick wall in Mold, causing the airbags to deploy.

The car's front was "completely caved in," and the wall was "demolished."

Jones shouted at Mr Fitzjohn to get out of the car, but the victim could not move his legs.

Screaming in pain, he had to physically lift his legs out of the vehicle and throw himself onto the pavement.

He could not stand or straighten his spine, as it "felt like it would snap."

Fortunately, an off-duty police officer was passing with his daughter, who was a nurse.

The officer described Jones as "frantically looking for his phone" before running from the scene.

Mr Fitzjohn was taken to Stoke Hospital, where he stayed for a week.

It was determined that the victim had sustained multiple fractures to his lower spine.

He required rods and screws to be installed in order to keep his spine together and by the time of the sentencing hearing, was said to have made a recovered which as deemed "acceptable."

He is able to move unaided, but remains in pain due to the injury.

In interview, Jones claimed he'd "hit some ice" prior to the crash, and claimed he believed he'd been covered by insurance.

He denied telling the victim he'd passed his test.

Euros Jones, defending, told the court his client had "no idea" why he decided to get behind the wheel that night.

"He made a terrible mistake which was completely out of character," he told the court.

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"And he compounded that by running away.

"However he is adamant he as aware his friend was being looked after.

"He recalls looking for his phone to call the services, but when he heard someone mention the police he panicked and ran away.

"He'll always regret that decision.

"He and his family were up through the night calling the hospital - they had been kept up to date and were very concerned about his (the victim's) condition.

"Since that terrible mistake, he has admitted his guilt and made admissions."

Judge Nicola Saffman told the defendant: "Mr Fitzjohn repeatedly told you to slow down but your response was 'nah.'

"This was a sustained period of appalling driving and eventually, inevitably, you crashed.

"Mr Fitzjohn got out because you were badgering him to do so.

"He did so with considerable difficulty. We now know that is because he had multiple fractures to his spine.

"And you fled the scene - leaving your friend in agony, in the hands of complete strangers on a dark, wet night, on the pavement."

Judge Saffman handed down a two year jail term.

But having balanced the mitigating features - including the defendant's good previous record and early guilty pleas - the Judge suspended that term for two years.

Jones will be subject to an electronically monitored curfew for six months and has been banned from driving for to years.

He must pay £420 costs and a £187 victim surcharge.