A DRUG-driver who caused a head-on horror smash which left a pensioner with life-changing injuries has been spared jail.

Bradley Saunders had been out with friends in Devon binging on drink and drugs the night before the rush-hour collision on the A41 near Bicester.

After waking up on the morning of March 31 and deciding to drive home, the 20-year old from Granborough Road, Buckingham, had made his way to the Oxfordshire road at about 8am.

It was there, while he was still under the influence of drugs, that his car veered out of his lane and into the path of an oncoming white Fiat 500.

With both drivers travelling at speeds of around 50mph, Saunders smashed head-long into the Fiat, driven by an elderly woman.

The woman lost consciousness in the force of the crash and firefighters had to cut through the roof of the car to get her out before she was rushed to hospital with multiple serious injuries.

Police later found a quantity of cannabis stashed inside Saunders’ car and tests showed he was over the legal limit for the Class B drug and had a small reading for alcohol, although it was well below the legal limit.

Saunders went on to plead guilty to offences in relation to the crash and was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court today.

At the hearing the court was read a victim personal statement from the victim, who said her life had been turned upside down but that she did not bear a grudge for what had happened.

Prosecutor Nigel Ogborne said: “She states the collision has ruined everything. She knows she is lucky to be alive… and for that she is grateful.

“She does not bear him any ill will, she wants him to learn that you cannot take a chance when it comes to driving, especially when it comes to alcohol or drugs.”

In mitigation, defence barrister Patrick Kelly said that his client had shown ‘true remorse and regret’ at what had happened and had since vowed to stop drink and drugs altogether.

He added that Saunders continued to suffer flashbacks and nightmares as a result of the crash.

Sentencing, Judge Maria Lamb said: “It may be because of your age or just thoughtless [but] that misjudgement you made was to drive when you were clearly under the influence of cannabis.

“You realise the enormity of what you have done here and the consequences it has had on somebody else’s life.”

Judge Lamb said that in light of the victim’s wish that Saunders not be jailed she could suspend his sentence.

Saunders was given an 18-month sentence suspended for two years and must carry out 230 hours of unpaid work, 25 days rehabilitation activity requirement and take part in restorative justice for four days. He was also disqualified from driving for three years and must pay £1,000 in compensation.