A driver has been jailed after he lost control of his high-powered sports car and ploughed into two work colleagues, maiming both for life.

William Allen was heard revving the engine of the tuned-up Toyota MR2 moments before the collision in Worth Bridge Road, Keighley, in December, 2005, Bradford Crown Court was told.

One of his victims, Mark Anderson, 25, had to have a lower leg amputated and the other, Endy Singh, 28, has been left with a permanent limp. Both had been keen amateur footballers, but are no longer able to play.

Allen, 23, of Longhouse Drive, Denholme, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

He was yesterday jailed for six months, banned from driving for four years and will have to take an extended test before being allowed on the roads again.

His victims yesterday reacted with anger to the length of sentence, saying they would suffer for the rest of their lives while he would be free - and healthy - within months.

Heather Weir, prosecuting, said Worth Bridge Road was a short service road to an industrial area and cars were often parked along it. All three men worked at one of the firms there, Kone PLC.

That day, Mr Anderson and Mr Singh were on their lunchbreak and walking along the nearside of the road when they heard the noise of a car that they recognised as Allen's car.

It had been modified with a larger turbo and exhaust to increase its performance.

Allen appeared to be "putting on a show" and was "being an idiot," according to Mr Anderson.

When he looked round he saw the car flying towards him, out of control.

The collision caught the two men between a parked vehicle and the grass verge, causing them severe leg injuries. The force of the impact had pushed the parked car a distance of 8.8 metres.

Allen later said the back end of his car had swung out due to the wet conditions.

Richard Wright, for Allen, said nothing he could say could offer any comfort to the injured parties or their relatives and friends sat in the public gallery.

Passing sentence, Judge Peter Benson told Allen: "This case is a triple tragedy, principally for Mr Anderson and Mr Singh whose lives have been permanently blighted, but also for you, because you are a man of previous good character.

"You worked together and you knew that road well - you must have driven up and down it scores of times. You knew there were cars parked on it and a bend that had to be negotiated with care.

"It is quite clear that you approached that bend at a wholly unsuitable speed and lost control of the vehicle and collided with these two highly unfortunate young men. Both of them have suffered injuries that will blight the rest of their lives.

"Nothing I do today will bring back their capacities and nothing I can do will go towards assuaging the bitterness they understandably feel.

"I accept that you have felt sincere remorse. This was an isolated act of dangerous driving, but a very bad piece of driving."

Mr Anderson and Mr Singh were in the public gallery at the court to see Allen jailed.

Afterwards Mr Anderson, of Glenhurst Grove, Keighley, said he was angry that Allen had not been given longer behind bars.

He said: "I had to spend three months in hospital. He will serve three months in prison except he will come out with two legs and I just have one. It makes me really angry.

"While I was in hospital each day the door opened, it was more bad news. I believe my feelings then were far more intense and worse than what he is feeling now because I did not know what was going on.

"My life was falling to bits around me. My life is 100 per cent different now to what it was before.

"Any sentence would not have been good enough but I am happy he is serving a custodial sentence.

Mr Singh, of Westburn Avenue, Keighley, said: "There has been a bit of justice because he has been sent to prison but I don't think any sentence would have been enough for what Mark and I have been through.

"Allen will get back to normal after he is released but we have to live with this for the rest of our lives. We have still not received an apology to this day."

  • 'He has never said sorry'