A MAN who drove the wrong way on the A12 before crashing was left with life-changing injuries and may never walk again.

James Ginnelly, 54, says he has no recollection of the events which saw his Audi A1 collide with recovery vehicle.

The 54-year-old appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court after admitting to dangerous driving.

Shortly before midnight on May 2 last year police officers were called to the A12 between junction 24 at Kelvedon and junction 25 at Marks Tey after reports of a crash on the London-bound carriageway.

Ginnelly, the driver of the Audi, was rushed to hospital with multiple injuries in a lifethreatening condition.

The lorry driver also went to hospital, but his injuries are not described as life-threatening.

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Ginnelly, of Rushmoor Drive, Braintree, had passed two no entry signs before entering the southbound carriageway and proceeding in the second lane.

Due to his severe injuries, he has no recollection of the events.

Evelyn Hicks, mitigating said: “In the last year this defendant has had to learn to talk, he has had to learn to walk due to his injuries.

“He still has many broken bones in his body and is on a waiting list for surgery and treatment. It is unlikely he will ever walk again.

“His mental health has also suffered as a result.

“The day before the incident, he tells me he was walking up to 15km a day, but now he can barely take 15 steps.

“He is grateful no one else was hurt. It is a small error of judgement that almost cost this defendant his life.”

Judge Christopher Morgan handed Ginnelly a sentence of 12 months, suspended for 18 months.

He must also serve 15 days of rehabilitation duty and has been banned from driving for three years.

Judge Morgan said: “I have to recognise that you have suffered life-changing injuries and you have been under treatment since. Those injuries still require treatment to make your life in the future bearable.

“If I was to send you into custody, there is no guarantee you would receive treatment.

“Even if this was an error of judgement, it was a manoeuvre that carried with it a very serious risk of injury and death.”