A TEENAGER who caused a serious head-on collision on the infamous Gil Gal bends— leaving a van driver unconscious for nine days — has been banned from driving for two years. Kieran Hughes, 18, must also take an extended re-test at the end of his ban and w

A TEENAGER who caused a serious head-on collision on the infamous Gil Gal bends- leaving a van driver unconscious for nine days - has been banned from driving for two years.

Kieran Hughes, 18, must also take an extended re-test at the end of his ban and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work by Ely magistrates on Thursday.

Hughes had earlier admitted driving dangerously at Chettisham on November 28 last year. He overtook cars on a bend, and ploughed into an oncoming van.

The van was driven by plumbing and

heating engineer Tony Mears of Ely, who suffered fractured legs, collar bone and ribs in the accident.

A head injury led to short-term memory loss, prosecutor Emma Dmitriev told the court.

"Had Mr Mears died, Kieran Hughes would be facing a sentence of imprisonment from a judge," she said. "Luckily Mr Mears did not die, but he did get MRSA and pneumonia in hospital, that compounded his misery."

She said Hughes had only been driving for six months, "he didn't appreciate that driving like that could have such devastating consequences for other road users."

Solicitor John Aspinall had seen photos of the crash, and said it was a miracle that either man survived.

"Kieran Hughes really feels very frustrated that the cannot remember what happened, or explain why he was driving in that manner," he said.

Hughes also suffered severe injuries, he is now deaf in one ear, and a leg injury has stopped him playing football.

"He is sorry for what happened, he is sorry for causing the accident and in particular for causing injuries to the other driver.