Motorcyclist left in wheelchair for life due to Team Valley careless driver
A motorcyclist was left in a wheelchair for life after a horror crash caused by a careless driver.
Paul Camsey's Kia motor made a "sudden turn" into the path of the motorbike and clipped it on a dual carriageway at the Team Valley trading estate in Gateshead, which caused the 24-year-old rider to lose control.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the victim was thrown from the bike and struck a tree with heavy force to his lower back.
The injured rider had no sensation or movement from his abdomen down when paramedics arrived at the crash scene in August 2022 and investigations at hospital, where he spent time in intensive care, revealed a serious spinal injury.
Camsey, 49, Ganton Close, Washington, who had been travelling at 23mph and was about to perform a legal U-turn but failed to see the bike, admitted causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving.
The victim said in an impact statement his life was "changed forever at a moment's notice" and added: "Life for me will be very different to how it used to be.
"I try to be as upbeat as possible but there are times I struggle to deal with what happened.
"I now use a wheelchair all of the time and will have to for the rest of my life."
He added that he was "extremely thankful" to still be alive and able to use his hands and arms.
Judge Edward Bindloss said Camsey's "momentary lapse" had a "catastrophically high" effect and said: "This is one of those terrible cases in which the consequences that are caused are almost unbearable to read about."
The court heard Camsey has never been in trouble before, has a good employment record, references to his good character and has expressed remorse.
Judge Bindloss sentenced him to an 18 month community order with 150 hours unpaid work and a 12 month road ban.
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