An Ystumtuen teenager has been handed a suspended sentence following a crash on a mid Wales road that left the victim with multiple injuries.

Jonah Lisbon Neal, 19, of Pantycwarel, appeared before Swansea Crown Court this month after previously pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was handed a sentence of 12 months detention in a young offenders' institution suspended for 12 months and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work when appearing before Judge Huw Rees.

The crash occurred on the mountain road between Aberystwyth and Llangurig at around 4.30pm on 15 November, in dark and wet conditions.

The court heard that the victim was driving home from work when he approached a left-hand bend and saw two motorcycles coming in the other direction, followed by a Nissan Leaf, which swerved across the carriageway, crashing into the front of the victim’s car.

The victim had to be airlifted to hospital after suffering a broken pelvis, broken ribs, broken chest bone and a leg fracture that required five metal plates.

Crash A44
Dashcam footage moments before the collision on the A44 (CPS)

The court heard however that the victim does not hold any grudge against the defendant.

In an impact statement read to the court the injured man described the anxiety and depression he suffered in the aftermath of the crash and how is wife was "beside herself" with worry.

The prosecution barrister said it was down to "good fortune and nothing else" that the victim had not suffered life-altering injuries.

Defence barrister, Dean Pulling, told the court that on the day of the collision, Neal had been driving ‘faster than he realised’ and when he came up behind the two motorbikes he hit the brakes hard, causing the wheels to lock, losing control of the vehicle.

The barrister added that this was due to Neal’s inexperience, having passed his test 11 months prior, and that a more experienced driver may have applied the brakes in a different manner.

Mr Pulling said the references before the court showed his client was an "exceptional young man" and he added that Neal's mother had been very moved by the magnanimous attitude displayed by the victim.

Judge Huw Rees said Neal had been driving at excess speeds on his way to Aberystwyth to watch a football game when he lost control of his car and strayed across the carriageway.

He said there could be no more frightening experience for a driver than to see a vehicle swerving into your path at speed and knowing there was nothing you could do about it.

The judge said the complainant suffered multiple and serious injuries in the head-on collision and said the reality was he could have been killed. He told the defendant he could learn a lot from the gracious way the complainant had approached matters.

Along with the suspended sentence, Neal was banned from driving for two years and must pass an extended test before he can get a licence.