A drink driver who mowed down a tourist at a UK seaside resort and left her with extensive life-changing injuries has been jailed.
Stephen Walkinshaw, 44, was driving his Jaguar F-Pace in Blackpool while he was over the prescribed alcohol limit when he crashed into a woman, who was on holiday with her partner.
Shocking footage shows Walkinshaw, who had spent all afternoon in the pub, travelling at around 30mph on the tram tracks that run through the seaside resort at around 11.30pm.
The woman, who is in her 40s, suffered extensive life-changing lower limb injuries that require ongoing treatment.
In a statement, she said the collision on September 29, 2023, had changed both her and her family’s life and that she still suffers from both physical and mental pain.
Walkinshaw, of Congleton, Cheshire, suffered significant damage to his vehicle but failed to stop at the scene and continued driving along the tram tracks.
The vehicle was then spotted by a police officer, who was unaware of the collision, and after a brief pursuit he was stopped and arrested.
Walkinshaw admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was jailed at Preston Crown Court for three years last week.
Stephen Walkinshaw, 44, (pictured) was driving his Jaguar F-Pace in Blackpool while he was over the prescribed alcohol limit when he crashed into a woman on holiday
Shocking footage shows Walkinshaw, who had spent all afternoon in the pub, travelling at around 30mph on the tram tacks that run through the seaside resort at around 11.30pm
Walkinshaw, of Congleton, Cheshire, failed to stop at the scene and continued driving along the tram tracks but was later stopped by officers and arrested
He will also be banned from driving for seven years, after he is released from prison.
Sergeant Dan Gunn, of Lancashire Police, said: ‘My thoughts today are first and foremost with the victim of this horrendous collision.
‘She suffered some significant injuries which require ongoing treatment, and the collision has had a huge impact on her and her family.
‘I hope that this result gives her some closure and enables her to focus on her ongoing recovery.
‘Walkinshaw was both over the drink drive limit and driving in an area restricted for trams when he ran down the victim and to compound his offending he failed to stop at the scene.
‘I welcome this sentence which is a result of the quality and strength of the prosecution case, and my thanks go to all those involved in the investigation.’
