THE driver who fled the scene of the Briddlesford Road crash — and was arrested in Manchester almost two weeks later — has been jailed for 22 weeks.

Benjamin Entwistle, 31, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court today (Tuesday), where he pleaded guilty to eight charges.

He admitted three counts of driving whilst disqualified, three counts of driving with no insurance, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident.

The court heard proceedings had been temporarily postponed while further enquiries were carried out by crash investigators.

They concluded his driving was not to blame for the crash — which left the driver of the other car, young mum Becky Wall, with life-threatening injuries.

Prosecutor Ann Smout said: "On June 27, Entwistle was seen by a woman in Totland driving erratically and overtaking cars on backroads, as well as coming close to hitting a pedestrian.

"At the specific point the crash happened, Mr Entwistle's driving was not to blame.

"Although, whether your driving is at fault or not, you do not treat someone that way and just leave them in the road.

"Matters were made worse by the fact he was arrested 13 days later in Manchester.

"Looking at his ten previous convictions for driving while disqualified, it is horrendous.

"This may in fact be the worst driving record I have ever seen."

Entwistle, of Westlake Avenue, Lake, is already serving a prison sentence after breaching the terms of a previous suspended sentence.

In the two days prior to the Briddlesford crash, the court heard Entwistle was twice spotted driving at speed through roads in Newport and Ryde — despite the fact he was disqualified.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said: "While the consequences on the day were horrific, previous charges of causing harm through dangerous driving were withdrawn because he was not directly responsible for that collision.

"He did make off from the scene, for which he tells me he feels deep remorse.

"My question to the bench is, realistically, how much good is three months in prison going to do?

"How will that bring any justice to Ms Wall, her family and her friends?

"His feelings of guilt and remorse are compounded by the effect it has had on his family.

"There has been a lot of online interest and they have been subject to a vile display of abuse from people online.

"Threats have routinely been made against wholly innocent parties in his family, who do not deserve the abuse they have been getting."

Magistrates sentenced Entwistle to 22 weeks in prison and banned him from driving for five years.

He was given 18 points on his licence and ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a surcharge of £115.

Presiding magistrate Keith Jones said: "We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour on the Isle of Wight."

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