5 days ago
Man almost lost his leg after driver's 'momentary lapse of concentration'
A biker almost lost his leg after being struck by a car. Marc Rostron was left with serious injuries and faced having his leg amputated after the motorbike he was riding was struck by a car being driven by Harrison Lavin.
A court heard a "momentary lapse of concentration" by Lavin led to the collision taking place. Lavin failed to see Mr Rostron when he pulled out of a road, joining Llandudno Road, Rhos on Seas, on May 26, 2023 at about 9.20pm. The conditions were clear and dry.
The Citreon DS3 driven by Lavin, who was 18-years-old at the time, struck Mr Rostron's motorcycle, who was travelling along Llandudno Road at between 25-30mph, with his lights on, knocking him off the bike.
Lavin admitted causing serious injuries by careless driving. Lavin, now aged 20, of Parc Castell, Llandudno Junction, did what he could at the scene, Caernarfon Crown Court heard, but Mr Rostron was left badly injured.
Jade Tufail, prosecuting, said the victim was initially taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd on a spinal board, before being transferred to the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Mr Rostron had suffered open fractures to his leg, ankle and foot, as well as a "complete division of his achilles tendon", she said. He was in hospital for three months, needing four operations and had faced the prospect of his leg being amputated due to a lack of healing.
However in March this year, it was confirmed that was not required. He also suffered frequent infections.
A victim impact statement from Mr Rostron said he was still suffering from the injuries, which had weakened his right leg and left him unable to walk more than a couple of hundred metres, meaning his parents had to do his shopping, with a carer coming in once a week to help.
It had also increased his mental health problems, due to being unable to get out and ride his motorbike like he used to, leading to depression and anxiety. The court heard Lavin had no previous convictions and was of positive good character.
Richard Dawson, defending, said the defendant had entered an early guilty plea, had fully co-operated with the investigation, was genuinely remorseful, had no other endorsements on his licence and was in full time employment and also volunteered to help youngsters at a local boxing gym.
"It was an out of character incident, borne out of inexperience," said Mr Dawson.
Judge Nicola Jones said the collision had caused Mr Rostron serious injuries to his leg, ankle and foot, after an unsafe manoeuvre, following a "momentary lapse of concentration" by Lavin. "It was inexperience, rather than irresponsibility, that caused the collision," she said.
Judge Jones sentenced Lavin to 40 hours unpaid work and disqualified him from driving for 12 months - with no extended retest. He was also ordered to pay costs of £150.
