A taxi driver left disabled and unable to work after a horrific crash with a speeding motorist has urged a judge not to jail the young offender.

Asgar Ali, who suffered life-changing injuries in the collision, expressed his belief that a prison sentence would have a detrimental impact on 20-year-old Max Street.

Preston Crown Court heard that Street was driving at more than twice the legal speed limit when his Skoda Fabia crashed into Mr Ali's Toyota Prius on April 28, 2023.

The incident occurred at a junction in Blackburn, where Street overtook another vehicle and accelerated into the oncoming lane.

Mr Ali, who was turning into a side road, thought he had enough time to make the manoeuvre, but due to the excessive speed he was driving, Street ploughed into the taxi.

Mr Ali was thrown from the vehicle and rolled along the pavement, suffering severe injuries, including a brain bleed and spinal fractures, muscle damage to his leg and spent three weeks in intensive care.

Other motorists stopped and called emergency services. Street was walking around saying the taxi had driven into him and the collision was not his fault, the court heard. 

His family described the devastating impact of the accident, highlighting his struggles with mobility, emotional distress, and the loss of his independence.

Despite his own suffering, Mr Ali's son emphasised the importance of rehabilitation for Street, stating: "My dad believes the driver should be punished, but he is young and made a mistake. My dad feels a custodial sentence would have a terrible impact on a young person's life."

Judge Richard Gioserano, sentencing, said: "What a contrast it is to you that the man who was injured still finds it in his heart to think about you when you can only think about yourself.

"You would do well to think about that Max Street and ask yourself what it says about you."

The judge said he had reached the conclusion there was not any real remorse shown by Street. He added: "Mr Ali was clearly caught by your speed that led him into a false belief he had all the time in the world to clear the junction.

"Given you were travelling at more than twice the speed limit - 70 in a 30, you were upon him in a flash. You could easily have killed him. He is fortunate not to have been killed and you are fortunate not to be standing in that dock facing death by dangerous driving."

However, Judge Gioserano said he felt there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation for Street, from Darwen.

He sentenced the defendant to 20 months suspended for two years with 15 days of rehabilitation activities and 250 hours of unpaid work.

He also banned Street from driving for three years and ordered he must take an extended retest if he wishes to get behind the wheel again.

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