A DRINK driver left a cyclist with horrific life-changing injuries after he ploughed into him on Christmas Eve.

Christopher Jones was more than three times the limit when he sent 61-year-old Simon Edmonds “flying into the air” on the A4042 Abergavenny to Llanellen road.

The victim was left with a brain injury, a collapsed lung and fractures to his pelvis, ribs and collarbone.

Mr Edmonds spent six weeks in hospital after being flown for emergency treatment by air ambulance following the crash at 12pm on December 24, 2020.

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Jeffrey Jones, prosecuting, said: “The victim is an experienced and passionate cyclist and cycling was part of his weekly routine.

The defendant was clearly drunk and slurring his words

“He had just set out on a 10-mile trip and was wearing a high visibility jacket and a safety helmet.

“The defendant was driving a Ford Fiesta and was seen by a witness to simply drive into the back of Mr Edmonds and send him flying into the air.

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“He was then seen swerving before continuing on his journey.

“This was a hit and run. The defendant was a menace on the road.”

Mr Jones said how the police went to the defendant’s home at 1.30pm later that day.

He told Cardiff Crown Court: “He gave a breath test of 131 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

“The legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

“The defendant was clearly drunk and slurring his words.

“When he was breathalysed again at the police station at 2.55pm, he gave a reading of 120 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

“It then emerged that the defendant’s driving licence had been revoked on March 12, 2020 because of persistent alcohol misuse.”

The court heard how Jones had a previous conviction for drink driving.

The defendant, 59, of Delafield Road, Abergavenny, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Jones also admitted failing to stop after an accident, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

The prosecutor added: “Mr Edmonds was a successful self-employed businessman.

“He has had to give up his driving licence and says he suffers from a lack of concentration and often drifts off to sleep in the day.

“The effects of his injuries have been heavily borne by his wife.”

Nigel Fryer, representing Jones, said: “The defendant wishes to apologise to Mr Edmonds for his behaviour.

“His best mitigation is his guilty plea.”

Judge Richard Williams told Jones: “You were so drunk that you drove right into him and sent him flying.

“You didn’t stop and left him to his fate.

“You were heavily intoxicated and took a deliberate decision to drive.

“You were a significant danger in your state. You were a collision waiting to happen.

“The injuries you caused are long-lasting and life-changing.

“You represent a real and continuing danger to the public.”

Jones was jailed for three years and banned from driving for 11 years and six months.

Outside the court, Chief Inspector Martyn Smith, of Gwent Police’s road policing and specialist operations unit, said: “Road safety is of paramount importance to Gwent Police and we’ll not tolerate behaviour that puts lives at risk on our roads.

“We want to stress that any motorist caught driving dangerously will be prosecuted.

“We all have a role to play in ensuring the safety of other road users.

"I would urge all motorists to drive carefully, responsibly and within the limits of the law and to ensure their vehicles are well-maintained at all times.”

A request for a mugshot was made to Gwent Police but a spokesperson said: “The defendant was a voluntarily attendee and unfortunately we don’t have an custody photo on file.”