Congleton drink driver who mowed down tourist at seaside resort jailed
A drink driver who mowed down a tourist at a UK seaside resort and left her with extensive life-changing injuries has been jailed.
Congleton resident Stephen Walkinshaw was driving his Jaguar F-Pace in Blackpool while over the prescribed alcohol limit when he struck a woman who was on holiday with her partner.
The 44-year-old has spent all afternoon in the pub and was travelling at around 30mph at the time of the crash, despite being in an area restricted for trams and authorised vehicles only.
The victim, who is in her 40s, suffered extensive life-changing lower limb injuries that require on going treatment because of the incident, which happened on September 29, 2023.
In a statement, she said the collision had changed both her and her family's life and that she still suffers from both physical and mental pain.
Walkinshaw, meanwhile, caused 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, of Danebridge Place in Congleton, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was jailed at Preston Crown Court for three years last week.
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."
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