A driver has been jailed for two years and eight months following a serious collision in High Garrett, near Braintree.

Benjamin Hagon, 36, of Acorn Avenue, Halstead, was driving a black Mercedes convertible which collided with a black Ford KA on the A131 Halstead Road, High Garrett, on February 9, 2014.

The driver of the KA, in her 20s and from the Braintree area, was seriously injured.

Hagon pleaded guilty to a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday to two years and eight months imprisonment.

He was also disqualified from driving for five years, after which he must take an extended test.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of driving with excess alcohol, and was sentenced to three months imprisonment and a two year disqualification from driving, to run concurrently.

Sergeant Damon Bainbridge, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "The female driver was flown to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge with life threatening injuries and spent three months being treated for her injuries.

"She will never fully recover from her injuries, but thanks to her determination and the support of her family, she has exceeded the expectations of medical staff.

"Hagon had been drinking heavily the night before the crash, but decided to drive the following day while still under the influence of drink and drove in a manner that showed a total disregard for the safety of other road users and himself.

"His actions tragically changed the life of a young lady and her family forever."