Cambridgeshire driver filmed himself steering with knees before crash that left mum paralysed

A driver filmed himself steering with his knees before a crash that paralysed a mother from the neck down. George Taylor, 19, had held his licence for less than 12 weeks at the time of the incident.

Mr Taylor, from Stretham, used his phone during his journey to college on January 18 of last year. He recorded five videos showing him driving a Volkswagen Golf at speed and overtaking other vehicles while his knees were on the steering wheel.

He also made two calls and sent text messages. However, at around 11am, he crashed into the back of a Skoda Fabia waiting to turn right in front of him on the A47 at East Tuddenham, Norfolk.

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The Skoda driver was a mother aged in her 40s at the time named Catherine. She was paralysed from the neck down as a result of the crash and now requires lifelong care.

Taylor pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was sentenced to two years and two months in prison at Norwich Crown Court on Monday (November 25). He was also banned from driving for 40 months and told he must take an extended driving test before he can drive again.

In a statement released through police, Catherine's family said: "Catherine has always been such a gregarious person with a great sense of humour and so full of life. She had a strong work ethic and would put her hand to anything and everything. She also dotes on her son.

"I’ll never forget that day when we were told she had been in an accident and then arriving at the hospital to be facing the reality that we may lose her. To hear that my only daughter may not survive was heartbreaking and, as her dad, all I wanted to do was make everything better for her.

"The past 22 months have been traumatic and while I can’t change anything, I hope that by speaking out I can make others aware of what can happen on the roads. Catherine’s life was changed in a split second, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. My focus now is to help Catherine and her son as much as I can to make their lives as comfortable as possible."

Sergeant Callum Walchester said that Taylor "didn’t set out… intending to cause unimaginable injuries to another person but sadly that is exactly what he did".

He added: “Catherine was a fit and healthy mother who now, as a result of Taylor’s actions, will live out the rest of her life paralysed and requiring lifelong care and support.

"Catherine and her family have agreed for us to tell her story to highlight the dangers that using a mobile phone poses, in the hope that no one else is in their position. This is testament to their strength and outlook and for that I thank them.

"George Taylor made multiple decisions to use his mobile phone that day and in doing so put himself and everyone else at significant risk. It was Catherine who has paid the price."