Drunk driver jailed for 10 years

Man drives car into women

A man who ploughed his car into a woman before leaving the scene and heading to a kebab shop has today been sentenced to ten years in prison.

Luke Geard, aged 29, of Hillcrest in Kilmington, was convicted in May 2023 of Section 18 – causing grievous bodily harm with intent following a 3-day trial after having previously pleaded guilty to several other offences; driving a motor vehicle dangerously, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, assaulting an emergency worker, sexual assault, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

The court heard how in June 2022, Geard had been out drinking with friends at two pubs in Axminster. After several alcoholic drinks, Geard had driven his BMW X5 to get cigarettes from a local shop before returning to the pub to consume more alcohol.

CCTV played to the jury showed Geard repeatedly ordering drinks, or having drinks bought for him by friends. He was shown to have consumed approximately nine pints of cider and lager in total, over an approximate five-hour drinking session.

At around 10pm, Geard had an argument with one of his friends before dropping her home on Sector Lane in Axminster. Geard proceeded down Sector Lane aggressively, forcing an approaching car to reverse out of his way before he collided with a parked vehicle.

Having heard this commotion outside her property, the victim came out to find her family member’s car had been damaged and she tried to stop Geard from driving away. However, Geard put his foot down and drove into the woman crushing her against another vehicle. The victim described in a video interview that Geard looked directly at her before he accelerated into her.

The victim was left with life-changing injuries after sustaining multiple fractures to her pelvis, femur, two bones in her lower back, shoulder blade, shin, ankle, feet and seven ribs. The victim also suffered a punctured lung.

Geard fled the scene and drove towards a kebab shop about eight miles from the scene, in Seaton. On the way, Geard was involved in another collision, hitting a vehicle on Boshill Hill in Seaton, and failing to stop.

After arriving at the kebab shop and ordering food, Geard returned to his vehicle and headed to his home address in Kilmington. On his way home, a concerned road user alerted police to Geard’s dangerous driving and he was arrested a short time afterward.

The victim needed emergency surgery to repair multiple broken bones and endured over three months in hospital which has left her with a lifelong dependency on medical treatment.

While in police custody, Geard was informed of the serious injuries the victim had sustained. Body Worn Video taken from an officer’s recording device showed a lack of regard for the injuries. The video evidence also proved vital in the prosecution’s case as he had denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Upon sentencing HRH Judge Evans said: “You used the vehicle as a highly dangerous weapon. You had driven into the victim and forced her body between two cars [SIC], crushing her and propelling her onto the tarmac. You decided not to stop and drove on.”

The officer who led the investigation, Detective Constable Ed Mitchell, said: “We welcome the sentencing today and I hope this brings about a sense of justice for the victim. This was an unprovoked attack resulting in life-changing injuries.

“The victim spent months in hospital, needing to learn to walk again. This has had a devastating impact on her. I would like to thank her for her courage and ongoing support of the investigation. We wish her all the best in her continued recovery, which has been an extremely long and difficult journey to this point.

“Mr. Geard showed no remorse upon his arrest. The comments he made about the victim’s injuries, and his attempts to play down his knowledge of the incident, served to strengthen the resolve of all officers and staff involved in the investigation to pursue justice.”

DI Guy Biggar said: “The team has worked extremely hard to ensure that the victim received justice. I’m pleased to see that the prosecution team was able to secure a conviction for causing grievous bodily harm with intent, in what is a particularly nasty, and unprovoked attack where Mr Geard used his vehicle as a weapon. The conviction, and subsequent sentence, is also a testament to DC Mitchell’s hard work, diligence, and professionalism.”

Comment from the victim:

“He’s ruined my life and there’s not much else to say. I just have no idea why he would drive into me. I just wanted him to stop because he hit my sons-in-law’s car.

“He was so angry. It’s been the worst thing to ever happen to me but I also I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me through this very difficult time; my family and friends, the hospital staff who looked after me for months on end, the paramedics, the physios who have helped get me back on my feet, my colleagues, and the police.

“Everyone has been so lovely to me through this process, and I am very grateful for all of the care and support I am still receiving.”