A GRANDMOTHER whose life was turned upside down after she miraculously survived a horror crash showed forgiveness as she embraced the driver responsible at Warrington Crown Court.

Moments after the sentencing of Jonathan Richardson, car crash victim Sheila Williams could be seen opening her arms to the 35-year-old defendant, of Weaver View, Northwich – almost one year on from the horrifying night which changed her life.

The court heard how dad-of-two Richardson was travelling along the Daresbury Expressway in Warrington to a football match at 7.30pm in a red Honda Civic on December 2 when he decided to overtake another car and HGV.

At the time the road was wet but it was no longer raining and visibility was clear, a number of witnesses recalled.

Mrs Williams, who was 57 at the time, was driving in the opposite direction in a silver Corsa behind another HGV.

As Richardson attempted to make the 'double overtaking manoeuvre' while driving under the 60mph speed limit, he noticed an oncoming HGV and was forced to quickly pull back into his lane with just 10 metres to spare.

Jo Maxwell, prosecuting, said: "Mr Richardson was able to pull back into the carriageway but effectively lost control of his car.

"The vehicle went into a spin and into the opposing traffic."

Richard consequently ploughed 'head on' into Mrs Williams' car.

The emergency services were called and both Richardson and Mrs Williams needed to be cut from their vehicles and taken to hospital.

Witnesses at the scene described going to Mrs Williams’ aid and found her ‘in a conscious state but in pain and crying out’.

Richardson suffered a fractured ankle, broken nose and an injury to his pelvis while Mrs Williams spent Christmas and New Year in hospital being treated for a fractured leg and back, broken leg and wrist.

She has since needed counselling and physiotherapy sessions.

The court heard how Mrs Williams suffers from 'anxiety, stress and sleepless nights' and now struggles to walk without the aid of a walking frame.

But her biggest heartache comes from her inability to play with her four-year-old grandson like she used to.

Since the car crash, Mrs Williams, who lost her job at a call centre as a result of the collision, refused to give up and was able to get herself fit enough to attend her son's wedding in March.

Sarah Badrawy, defending, revealed that Richardson, who attended court with a bag packed in preparation for jail, was remorseful for his actions and had written a personal letter of apology to Mrs Williams.

She said: "Nothing I will say is designed to detract or minimise the seriousness of the defendant's actions on Mrs Williams and her family."

She added that it was a 'lapse of judgement' and there was 'no malice intended'.

Recorder Patrick Thompson said it was clear that Richardson was sorry for his actions while praising Mrs Williams’ ‘considerable courage and determination’ during the hearing on Friday.

He added: "But what does impress me is that while he was in hospital he was asking after Mrs Williams' welfare.

"Some people would be more concerned with themselves so that is an indication of the kind of person he is."

Richardson, who pleaded guilty to causing injury by dangerous driving, was sentenced to two years in prison which was suspended for two years, 250 hours of unpaid work and disqualified from driving for three years.

He must also pay £5,000 in compensation to Mrs Williams.