A DRINK-DRIVER crashed into a teacher on a pavement near Barmouth, causing her serious rib, leg and ankle injuries, leaving her “devastated” and possibly unable to work again.

Robin Corbett Delahey, 62, of 84 Dunlin Drive, Kidderminster, appeared at Dolgellau Magistrates Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to driving while over the alcohol limit.

Magistrates heard that on the afternoon of 6 August this year, Delahey had drunk five cans of lager and was driving along the A496 in Llanaber on his way to get fish and chips in Barmouth.

Along this route were Julia Bligh and her partner Peter Thompson, of Birmingham, who were visiting the area and had stopped their car to take some pictures.

The court heard that, as the couple were walking on the pavement, they saw Delahey’s car coming towards them and swerving out of control.

Delahey, who claims he was having a coughing fit at the time, ploughed into the couple and crashed into the wall.

Crown prosecutor Tracey Willingham told the court that Delahey’s actions had caused serious injuries to Miss Bligh, who worked as a teacher.

In a victim impact statement read out to the court, Miss Bligh said her injuries to her leg and ankle were life-changing and, even though she had already undergone several operations, she was told she would need more.

Her ankle was completely crushed and she also suffered fractured ribs.

Ms Willingham told the court the injuries inflicted on Ms Bligh meant she may not be able to return to work and that this had left her devastated as she had always been a very active person.

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