A man who suffered life-changing injuries when he was knocked off his motorbike pleaded for mercy for the driver responsible.
Asad Haidry made a heartfelt plea to magistrates in Blackburn to be lenient when sentencing Basit Ali.
The court heard Asad Haidry, who attended court on crutches, was now registered disabled as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash in June.
He told how his plans to start his own business had been scuppered and how he now needed help looking after his children and performing normal day-to-day tasks.
Despite the impact on his life, he asked the magistrates not to send Basit Ali to prison.
He said: "I understand people make mistakes, and I see this as a mistake.
"I wouldn't want to see this man go to prison.
"I am sorry that we had to come here today, and I ask if the judges can be lenient on this man, please."
Ali, 53, of Halifax Road, Brierfield, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving.
He was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, with 100 hours of unpaid work.
He was disqualified for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
Lyndsey Vinden, prosecuting, said Mr Haidry was riding his motorbike in Church Street, Burnley, when Ali pulled out in front of him in his Toyota Yaris on June 18.
"He was unable to avoid a collision and was sent skidding across the road," said Miss Vinden.
"He struggled to remember what happened, and his next clear recollection was waking up in hospital, where he spent two weeks."
For the first three weeks following his discharge from hospital, Mr Haidry had carers coming in four times a day and after that three times a day.
He suffered broken ankles, knee ligament damage and tissue damage. His right leg was in a cast, and he was unable to bear weight on it until September.
"For a periodd, he was assisted with a Zimmer frame, and there is still a problem with weight bearing on his right leg to this day," said Miss Vinden.
"He hasn't been able to work since this incident, and also struggles to go out due to his limited mobility.
"It is likely the issues with his right leg will remain permanent."
Mr Haidry told the court that nine days before the incident, he had obtained his driving instructor licence.
"I had set up a limited company to continue my new journey, and that all came to a stop due to my injuries," said Mr Haidry.
"I had invested financially in my training, which I cannot benefit from for the foreseeable future."
Mr Haidry also told how he used to be a keen competitor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which he trained for at Milltown Martial Arts, Burnley.
"My life has been turned upside down, and I have lost my independence due to this accident," said Mr Haidry.
"Everything I used to do myself I now rely on others to help me.
"It is hard to accept that I have to ask for help from others. Mentally, I struggle with this on a daily basis."
Vaqas Latif, mitigating, said his client was deeply sorry about the accident and wished Mr Haidry a full and speedy recovery.
"He is 53 years old, and this is his first experience of the criminal justice system," said Mr Latif.
"He fully accepts responsibility for this offence, which he says was due to a momentary lapse in concentration."
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