A BOURNEMOUTH man has been jailed for almost 10 years after a man was left with serious injuries in a crash.

Leon Fowler, 25 of Bournemouth was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court today after admitting offences of driving a motor vehicle dangerously, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, attempted inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, failing to stop after a road accident and failing to report a road accident.

Fowler was driving on Abbotsbury Road in Weymouth at around 8.30pm on July 16 when he intentionally drove into two men who were walking on the pavement.

He then fled the scene and left the car a short distance from the incident.

A man in his 20s, who was known to Fowler, was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital after sustaining serious facial injuries that required reconstructive surgery and an injury to his arm.

Fowler was sentenced to nine years in prison and disqualified from driving for six and a half years.

Detective Constable Donna Taylor, of Dorset County CID, said: “Leon Fowler effectively used his vehicle as a weapon, intentionally driving into his victims, leaving one of them with very serious injuries. His reckless actions could easily have had fatal consequences.

“We responded swiftly to the incident and through detailed enquiries were able to identify Fowler as the offender and apprehend him.

“Detectives have since been compiling evidence to put before the court to ensure he is held accountable for his extremely dangerous actions.”