Jail for Cefncaeau driver who showed off to pals by doing 104mph
A STUDENT who collided with a lorry while showing off to friends by driving at more than 100mph has been jailed.
Ashley Morris, 22, was begged by one of his friends to slow down after he boasted and laughed as his speedometer showed 104mph on road where the speed limit was 60mph.
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Swansea Crown Court
Passenger and fellow student James Jeffries, who asked him to slow down, has been left with a torn bowel and suffered serious medical and mental issues after the incident.
He also had a large part of his large intestine removed.
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Morris, of Ynyslas, Cefncaeau, had told his fellow Coleg Sir Gâr students he was taking them to the local shops to buy lunch, but instead he carried on on Trimsaran Road, hitting 100mph, before turning onto the unclassified road heading towards Pembrey.
As he sped along the road, his passenger described being scared as Morris showed off in the Renault Twingo he had bought six weeks earlier, Swansea Crown Court heard.
After Mr Jeffries asked Morris to slow down, prosecuting barrister Janet Gedrych said Morris mocked him.
As Morris went round a corner, a HGV lorry driven by William Charles was heading along the single track road in the opposite direction.
The court heard Mr Charles had seen the car coming towards him and slammed on his brakes, bringing his vehicle a stop before the collision.
After the crash Morris asked his friends to tell police he was driving at 30 to 40mph.
Front seat passenger Rhys Maides escaped with cuts and bruises while Mr Jenkins was left with a torn bowel and internal bleeding. Mr Jenkins required a colostomy bag for six months, as well as cosmetic surgery.
The other rear passenger, John Fitzgerald, suffered a broken leg and spent two weeks in hospital after he developed a blood clot on his lung.
The court heard one of the passengers later said Morris was driving his car like it was a rally car, causing the car to come off the ground after hitting a bump at speed.
John Allchurch, representing Morris, said his client was a father of two young children and that he had also received injuries in the accident, himself suffering a broken wrist, fractured ankle and kneecap.
He asked the judge to suspend any sentence so Morris could continue working as a welder and look after and provide for his children.
He said he had no doubt Morris was driving to show off to his friends.
"It frankly beggars belief that you completed driving at such maniacal speeds," said Recorder Hopkins. "There could have catastrophic consequences."
"Your first instinct, having been involved in this catastrophic head-on collision, was not to inquire of the welfare and state of health of your friends but effectively your instinct was to try to cover your own back."
Recorder Hopkins jailed Morris, who admitted dangerous driving, for nine months and banned him from driving for four years.
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