A DANGEROUS driver who left a passenger paralysed from the waist down has been handed a two year suspended sentence, a three year driving ban and 300 hours community service.

Stephanie Grisedale, aged 24, of New Rent Farm, Hutton-in-the-Forest, near Penrith, was found guilty of causing serious injury to her friend by dangerous driving on Friday, July 24, at Carlisle Crown Court.

The sentence comes after Grisedale, who was driving a Ford Focus with three passengers inside it, came off the C3032 near Hutton Roof and collided with a tree on March 27, 2014.

Emergency services attended the scene and the front-seat passenger suffered subsequent serious injuries, including being paralysed from the waist down.

The court heard how the collision followed dangerous driving by Grisedale, who was alleged to be speeding at near to double the speed limit for the stretches of road she was travelling.

It is also claimed that the passengers made repeated pleas for her to slow down and drive more responsibly.

Sergeant Claire Sampson, of the Operational Support Unit, said: “This incident sends out a stark reminder to the dangers of driving at high speeds, the front-seat passenger has been told that she will never walk again.

“Grisedale’s actions as a driver were simply irresponsible and she will have to live with the fact that her driving has caused such serious life-changing implications.

“Our thoughts remain with the seriously-injured passenger and hope that she can move on from such a traumatic event.

“This collision could have had even greater consequences and thankfully we are not discussing a fatality. But the fact remains driving at high speeds can kill. There is no excuse for such dangerous driving and hopefully Grisedale can learn from this.”