A Stevenage motorist whose dangerous driving left a cyclist ‘in constant pain’ following serious head and chest injuries was jailed on Monday.

Martin Vaughan, of Colestrete, was sentenced to nine months behind bars by judge Jonathan Haworth at Cambridge Crown Court this morning.

The 28-year-old, who pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving on July 20, has also been banned from the road for two years, with an extended retest.

The incident happened shortly before 6pm on January 5, 2015, while both Vaughan and the cyclist – a man in his 50s – were heading towards Knebworth on the B197 Stevenage Road.

The cyclist was left with serious injuries to his head and chest after Vaughan, driving a white Mercedes Sprinter van, crashed into him. He was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in a critical condition while Vaughan was not injured.

Mr Haworth also ordered Vaughan to pay a victim surcharge of £100.

PC Justin Smyth, from the Beds, Cambs and Herts road policing unit, said afterwards: “The family of the cyclist and I would like to thank all those that provided assistance at the scene of this collision and those that gave their time to make statements.

“This is an example of how decisions we make while driving have the potential to change lives forever. All motorists need to take responsibility for their actions when behind the wheel as being distracted, even for a moment, could have devastating consequences.

“The cyclist, though now back to work, has been left with the mental and physical scars caused by the actions of this driver. A once very active person, he is now is in constant pain as a result of the collision.”