A ‘COWARD’ who left a woman seriously injured after crashing a stolen car into her vehicle has been jailed.

Preston Crown Court heard how Keith David Russell, 38, ran off after the crash and was only identified by police weeks later by DNA, which he had left on the inside of an air bag.

Prosecuting, John Kennerley, said that in the early hours of May 18, Russell had stolen a black Vauxhall Insignia in Liverpool and driven it to Blackburn. While in Blackburn he then stole the number plates to a Peugeot and placed them on the Vauxhall.

Around 6pm the same day the Vauxhall was spotted by police and followed at a distance. No attempts were made at that stage to stop it.

Mr Kennerley said: “The vehicle was travelling on St Silas Road. The defendant came out of the junction onto Preston New Road at such a speed that he crossed the carriageway and crashed into the driver’s side of a Volkswagen Polo. That car was being driven by 25-year-old complainant Saimeena Madiyar. Such was the impact of the collision that the Polo was forced into a parked Volkswagen Passat, which in turn was shoved into a wall.

“The defendant left the car on foot. A police officer attempted to detain him but he was unable to.”

As a result of the crash Ms Madiyar was left trapped in the Polo. When she was eventually freed she was taken to Royal Preston Hospital where she had an operation on a severely broken leg and a pelvic injury. She remained in hospital for two weeks and needed counselling.

Defending, Kelly Appleton said her client had shown remorse for his actions and realised his three children would also suffer as a result of his actions.

Ms Appleton said: “He is devastated by his actions. He is shocked has hurt the victim in the way he has.”

Russell, of Lordens Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, theft and driving without a licence or insurance.

Describing him as a ‘coward, Mr Recorder Julian Shaw jailed Russell for 12 months and banned him from driving for three years and nine months.