Before sending James Hendley down the judge at Wolverhampton Crown Court described his driving “like from a character in a Fast and the Furious movie”.
The court heard that Hendley offered his girlfriend’s mates, Melissa Cooper and Brandon Williams, a lift to pubs in Brierley Hill after drinking several Jack Daniels on Wednesday, March 16, 2022.
Hendley’s then girlfriend and Brandon told police the driver was ‘showing off’, ‘weaving’ and was told to stop ‘driving like an idiot’.
After being seen driving recklessly through Brierley Hill, Hendley, of Thornleigh, Lower Gornal, lost control near Merry Hill Shopping Centre, the court was told. The VW Toureg flattened a lamppost, smashed into a wall and was only prevented from falling down an embankment thanks to a barrier on Waterfront Way.
His girlfriend clambered out of the car, while Melissa lay stricken in the middle of the road and Brandon had been thrown down an embankment. Hendley tried to shift the blame, asking his then girlfriend: “Why was Brandon driving?”
Then, with all three of his passengers injured, Henley ran away from the scene without calling for help and then pitched up at an ex-girlfriend’s house where he drank more and sniffed cocaine.
Melissa and Brandon still suffering from their injuries following their car ride with James Hendley
Melissa, who had just qualified to be a nurse, was 21 when the accident happened, and was engaged to Brandon.
She suffered brain damage, facial injuries, severe pelvic injuries, spinal injuries and will never be able to look after herself again.
Two years after the accident and despite intense rehabilitation she is still unable to walk, talk nor eat and will need care for the rest of her life.
Brandon Williams was scarred for life and has still has not returned to full time work.
Melissa’s father, Paul, wrote the personal statement for his “miracle” daughter who he and his wife, who has since died, spent years trying to conceive.
He said: “Melissa and I were inseparable after my wife’s death, she turned her grief into something positive and became a nurse. I will never forget getting the call to say she had been in a road traffic accident.
“The last two years have been life shattering. The reality is that I will never walk my daughter down the aisle, have grandchildren, and have a normal life. I have nothing to look forward to in life.”
Brandon Williams’ statement described Hendley driving too fast and how, since the crash, his physical and mental health have never recovered.
He said: “I sometimes wonder what is the point of me being here at all.”
Hendley has since married, has two children and has not broken the law since. However, despite glowing references and a guilty plea when the case reached Wolverhampton Crown Court, the judge told him a custodial sentence had to be passed.
For seriously injuring Melissa Cooper due to dangerous driving Henley was jailed for 40 months – and for Brandon Williams’ he received a 28 month sentence, to be served consecutively. He was also banned from driving for four and a half years.
Judge Jacobs told Hendley: “There is no sentence I can pass and no words I can say which will make up for harm you caused Melissa Cooper and Brandon Williams. You had been told to slow down, but ignored the warnings.
“This case demonstrates, with clarity, the devastating consequences on other people when others choose to drive like a character out of a Fast and the Furious movie. You will be able to put your life together with your family after you have served your sentence but Melissa will never get that chance.”