A DRIVER who smashed into a car, leaving a husband and wife with life-changing injuries, has been jailed for two-and-a half years.

Joshua Johnson, 27, of Gunville Road, Newport, admitted two counts of causing serious injury through dangerous driving on May 28, 2018, when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Crown Court earlier this month.

He had been driving along the Middle Road when he caught up behind a car, which had stopped at the junction to Tapnell Farm.

He moved to overtake the vehicle as the driver, Anne Tautz, began turning into the junction.

The two vehicles collided, with devastating consequences.

Mrs Tautz and her husband, Peter, were left with horrendous injuries.

Mrs Tautz suffered a fractured pelvis, internal haemorrhaging and a torn aorta, and was in hospital for four weeks.

Mr Tautz was unable to walk unaided for a month.

Mr Tautz cried as he read out his victim statement in court, explaining how the crash changed their lives.

He said: "After the accident, it feels like all we have left is life to endure.

"I can still see what I thought was my wife breathing her last breaths on that air bag.

"Now, I have the daily sight of watching her suffer.

"I am angry with myself for being so courteous to the other driver at the time.

"He deserves everything and more that is coming to him.

"It has been 16 months of hell."

Prosecutor John Underhill said the Portsmouth couple had travelled to the Island to purchase a Toyota Yaris — the vehicle Mrs Tautz was later cut free from.

The court heard Johnson had previously been convicted of dangerous driving in 2015, for which he received a suspended sentence.

Jane Rowley, defending, said: "In the aftermath of the incident, the defendant went directly to their car to check if they were OK.

"There hasn't been a single day where he has not contemplated the damage he has caused to this couple."

Judge William Mosley sentenced Johnson to 30 months in prison and disqualified him from driving for six years.