A drug driver smashed into a motorcyclist leaving him with injuries so serious that he needed four operations to amputate his leg.  

James Pateman, 38, drove a Ford Transit van into Jeremy Brand in traffic which knocked him over onto the pavement on July 21 this year.

Mr Brand suffered “catastrophic” injuries which required four surgeries on his right leg which had to be amputated above the knee following the crash in New England Road, Brighton.

Pateman, of Chatham Place, near Seven Dials in Brighton, had 25 micrograms of cocaine per litre of blood in his system, more than double the legal limit of ten micrograms.

Pateman also had 2.1g micrograms of Delt-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, known at THC which is the active ingredient in cannabis, per litre of blood. He also exceeded the limit for Benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.

The Argus: New England Road in BrightonNew England Road in Brighton (Image: Google Maps)

Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard today that it was an “extremely unsafe manoeuvre” and Mr Brand was “visible”. The court heard that Mr Brand was an experienced motorcyclist.

Pateman was pulling out between vehicles when he hit Mr Brand, the court heard.

Charlotte Frost, prosecuting, said: “He was driving a van and moved into traffic, striking a motorbike and causing Mr Brand to fall onto the pavement.

“He sustained injuries including the loss of his right leg above his knee.”

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Pateman, wearing a black suit and white shirt, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving, as well as driving a vehicle while over the specified limit for the three drugs.

Mr Brand, also from Brighton, was present in the public gallery for the court case.

Deputy District Judge Nicola Fleck ordered a pre-sentence report.

Pateman has been given an interim disqualification from driving.

The case has been adjourned to February 7 at the same court where Pateman could be sentenced or the case sent to crown court.