A man who was three times over the legal limit when he left a motorcyclist with serious injuries has been jailed for three years.

Ricky Shillingford, 51, of Primrose Square, Hackney, was sentenced for causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday, Tuesday, September 17.

He also received a four-month sentence for drink driving, which will run concurrently, and has been disqualified from driving for three and a half years.

Shillingford had pleaded guilty to both charges at the same court on Wednesday, August 21.

On December 23, 2018, Shillingford was driving his BMW on Tawneys Road, Harlow, at around 3.30pm, heading towards the Southern Way roundabout.

Having turned right at the roundabout, he lost control of the car and crossed onto the other side of the road into an oncoming motorcyclist.

The biker, a man in his 30s, suffered serious injuries to one of his legs, for which he still receives physical therapy.

When he was breathalysed, Shillingford blew no lower than 113 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

Inspector Emma Bullock, of the Chigwell Roads Policing Unit, said: “Two days before Christmas, Shillingford’s reckless actions changed lives forever.

“Drink driving doesn’t just have legal consequences for you, it has profound consequences for entire families.

“As a result of this incident, the injured man was unable to work for six months, and it’s had a devastating impact on his wellbeing and that of his family, including his young children.

“Whilst I’m glad that Shillingford had the decency to spare this brave family the indignity of a trial, his actions will remain with them forever.

“They have shown real courage throughout this process in extremely tricky circumstances, and I cannot praise them enough.

“I hope this result is able to provide them with a sense of closure.

“If you know that someone is going to drive when they’re under the influence – whether that’s drink or drugs – please call us.

“Your actions could prevent serious injury or maybe even save a life. Drive safe, drive sober.”