A motorist, who crashed his car in St Albans while driving dangerously, caused his best friend life changing injuries.

Billy Unite will never walk again after being left a tetraplegic following the crash in Harpenden Road on March 29 last year.

He has lost the use of limbs after suffering brain and spinal injuries and has severe difficulties communicating.

Behind the wheel of his Mitsubishi that night was Billy's best friend Thomas Bailey. The court heard the pair were like brothers.

He suffered only minor injuries in the crash and must now live with the guilt and remorse for his poor driving, St Albans crown court was told.

Twenty-seven year old Bailey appeared in the dock to plead guilty to a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Davina Mootien, prosecuting, told the court how Bailey had left his home in Pinewood Close, St Albans, to pick his friend up and a young woman who were out drinking in St Albans.

Recorder Patrick Fields was told that Bailey met the pair and had a drink with them before all three set off at the end of the evening in his car.

The court then heard how, in Harpenden Road near where the fire station used to be, the Mitsubishi roared up behind another vehicle far in excess of the 30mph speed limit.

Bailey pulled out and overtook the car in front it and then cut back in only to hit the kerb, mount the verge before spinning out of control into the oncoming lane where the Mitsubishi collided with an oncoming Volvo.

Following the crash Billy, who had been a front seat passenger, was found lying in the road. The young woman in the back of the Mitsubishi suffered minor injuries as did Bailey himself.

Later, the level of alcohol in Bailey's blood was tested and he was found to be over the legal limit.

The court then heard about the dreadful injuries Billy suffered that night.

Judge Warner was told he and Bailey had been "like brothers" because of the closeness of their friendship.

And the judge was told members of Billy's family were in court to support Bailey and had provided character references for him.

Billy Unite is still in a "bad way," said Will Noble defending and only has low levels of consciousness.

Mr Noble said Bailey was a frequent visitor to his friend's hospital bedside, often taking the injured man's grandmother to see her grandson.

Passing sentence, Recorder Fields told Bailey "It's been accepted on your behalf that your driving that night was of a shockingly bad standard."

He said the manoeuvre to overtake the vehicle in front had been so aggressive that in doing so he had clipped the kerb and spun out of control.

He said Billy had suffered "quite appaling injuries" and he said Bailey will have to live with the remorse he now feels for the rest of his life.

The recorder said the fact that Billy's own family had shown Bailey mercy and compassion was honourable and humbling.

But he said he had to pass a sentence that would protect other road users as well.

He jailed Bailey for two years, banned him from driving for three years and his licence was endorsed.

Bailey was told he would also have to take an extended driving test before he can get behind the wheel of a car again.