A drug driver who crashed into a motorcyclist leaving him with injuries so serious that he needed his leg amputated has been jailed.

James Pateman drove his Ford Transit van into Jeremy Brand knocking him over onto the pavement on July 21 last year.

A court heard Pateman was more than double the legal limit for cocaine and was under the influence of cannabis when he crashed in New England Road, Brighton.

The 38-year-old failed to see Mr Brand as he attempted to turn right up the hill into the road from Howard Terrace.

He caused catastrophic injuries to Mr Brand, who had no time to react. Mr Brand required four surgeries on his right leg, which had to be amputated above the knee.

The Argus: A police cordon on the day at Seven Dials in BrightonA police cordon on the day at Seven Dials in Brighton (Image: The Argus)

Pateman, an engineering technician of Chatham Place, Brighton, tested positive for 25 micrograms (ug) of cocaine per litre of blood. The legal limit is 10ug of cocaine per litre of blood.

He also tested positive for traces of cannabis in his system and for the chemical breakdown of cocaine and cannabis.

He admitted causing serious injury by careless driving and drug driving.

At Lewes Crown Court on March 6, Pateman appeared for sentencing after previously admitting the charges of careless driving and drug driving at an earlier hearing.

The court was told how the incident happened on July 21 last year.

The victim has described the devastating ongoing impact the collision has had upon his life.

The Argus: James Pateman leaving Brighton Magistrates' Court last monthJames Pateman leaving Brighton Magistrates' Court last month (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

Speaking after the case Sergeant Ian Richardson from the Roads Policing Unit said: “This incident has demonstrated the life-changing consequences of drug-driving.

“Pateman failed to check oncoming traffic and has caused devastating injuries to the victim.

“He failed roadside DrugWipe tests which showed he had both cannabis and cocaine in his system at the time of collision.

“Later blood tests showed he was significantly over the limit for cocaine.

“Pateman will now have to reflect on his selfish and careless driving from prison.”

Pateman was jailed for a total of ten months and was disqualified from driving for three years and two months in total.