A "boy racer" who left a moped rider on a life support machine when he crashed into her has been jailed for two years and eight months.

Police investigators estimate Steven Briddon was doing almost double the 30mph speed limit in Jewbury, York, when he overtook three taxis in his modified MR2 car and failed to see a red light on October 1 last year.

York Crown Court heard the 28-year-old tried swerving to avoid hitting Linda Atkinson as she waited at the traffic lights, but he was still doing between 31mph and 33mph when he started to brake and could not avoid the 49-year-old, who was thrown into the air and landed on Briddon's windscreen.

She suffered severe brain injuries and doctors came close to turning off her life support machine at Leeds General Infirmary, however, her family never lost hope and she survived.

A medical report from Ms Atkinson's GP said she has returned to her home in York, but has a full time carer, is wheelchair dependent, has a speech impediment and has problems with her sight.

A victim impact statement read out in court from Billy Brolly, the partner of Ms Atkinson, said the crash had ruined both their lives.

He said: "I was told the injuries were so severe it would be best to take Linda off her breathing system and it would be easier to let her die.

"I couldn't let Linda go like this.

"I wanted Linda with us no matter what.

"She came home on April 7, 2016. Linda is a fighter and gets through this.

"Since the day of the collision I have not been able to work and this in itself has caused me financial distress, worry and depression.

"This whole incident has left me sad. We are struggling in life as a couple but we will fight on."

Jailing Briddon for 32 months and banning him from driving for four years and four months, Judge Paul Batty, QC, said: "This is about as bad a case as one can imagine.

"For that lady, Linda Atkinson, was at death's door as a consequence of your driving.

"She only just survived and has suffered life threatening injuries and life changing injuries as well."

Briddon, of Rose Street, York, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and said he hoped to one day apologise to Ms Atkinson in person.

Acting Sgt Dave Foster of the Major Collision Investigation Team said: “The sentence that was passed reflects the fact that Briddon paid absolutely no regard to the risk he was placing other road users in, by driving so irresponsibly and dangerously that night.

"This was a horrific collision that was caused by excessive speed and was completely avoidable."