A MAN who drove the wrong way down the A12 has been given a suspended sentence.

James Ginnelly of Rushmoor Drive, Braintree was left with life changing injuries after he drove the wrong way down the A12 which resulted in a serious crash.

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

On May 2, 2020, shortly before midnight officers were called to the A12 between junction 24 at Kelvedon and junction 25 at Marks Tey amid reports a white Audi A1 and a recovery vehicle crashed on London-bound carriageway.

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

The driver of the other car also went to hospital, but his injuries are not described as life-threatening.

Ginnelly 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.

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Ms Hicks, mitigating said: "He fully accepts that it was him driving.

"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.

"He is holy horrified and shows complete remorse for his actions."

Judge Christopher Morgan awarded a sentence of 12 months to be suspended for 18 months.

Ginnelly must also serve 15 days of rehabilitation duty and has been suspended 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."