A HEREFORDSHIRE man caused his friend to be seriously hurt after crashing his car.

Liam Hodgetts, aged 20, of Woodend Lane, Stoke Lacy, was driving a red Mini Cooper on the B4220 in Bosbury when he lost control, with the car ending up in a ditch.

Hereford Magistrates Court heard that Dean Edwards, who was a passenger in the car, sustained several broken bones, including the vertebra and ribs. 

Prosecuting solicitor, Mark Hambling said that Hodgetts gave a quite comprehensive and honest account of what happened when he was interviewed by police, explaining that some alterations had been made to the vehicle. 

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Mr Hambling added that no alcohol or drugs were involved, and Hodgetts believed he took a corner too quickly. 

In defence, Chris Reid said his client, who pleaded guilty to causing a serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving, was aged 19 at the time. 

"He is a man of good character who has never been in court previously and has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity," said Mr Reid.

"The exact cause of this accident is still unknown. It has to be based on what Mr Hodgetts said when being interviewed. 

"The car ran off the road - something must have happened. When approaching the right-hand bend, there was some gravel on the road which may have affected the driving.

"The vehicle goes off the road and in a ditch causing injury for Mr Edwards."

Mr Reid added that both parties are friends and have remained on good terms since the accident.

Hodgetts was handed a 12-month community order, requiring him to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work. He has also been disqualified from driving for 12 months and told to pay court costs of £185 and a victim surcharge of £114 respectively.