A former Peterborough United footballer has been jailed for causing a horrific crash on the A47 after taking laughing gas.
Flynn Clarke, 20, was driving a BMW when it swerved into the opposite carriageway, hitting a motorhome head-on at 50mph near Thorney.
Peterborough Crown Court heard his girlfriend was a front seat passenger while three male friends were in the rear seats as he attempted to regain control of the car after clipping a kerb exiting a roundabout.
The motorhome owner and a rear seat passenger in the BMW sustained serious injuries in the crash.
READ MORE: Norwich City's Flynn Clarke admits dangerous driving charge
Prosecutors said witnesses had described Clarke, a Scotland Under-21 international, driving in an “indecisive manner” and struggling to stay in his lane prior to the crash in April 2022.
Evidence of the use of nitrous oxide - a popular recreational drug better known as laughing gas - was found in the car.
“He accepts having consumed nitrous oxide earlier in his journey,” the court was told.
However, there were “unclear and conflicting accounts” whether it had been taken at the time or immediately prior to the collision.
The motorhome owner, a HGV driver who has been unable to work since the crash, suffered a fractured pelvis, hip, knee and ankle and has required multiple operations including a hip replacement.
In a statement read in court, he said his injuries meant he was now unable to do things he previously took for granted, including playing football with his grandson
“Over the last 16 months I have been in pain and discomfort,” he said.
“This incident sends a shiver up my back when I think of it and how the consequences should have been very different.”
The 21-year-old BMW passenger said he had feared he might never walk again after being airlifted to hospital with internal bleeding having sustained a broken collar bone, sternum and vertebrae.
He said he could be in pain for the rest of his life and while Clarke did not set out to cause the crash he “has to live with the consequences”.
Clarke had previously pleaded guilty to three charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
His defence counsel Mr Dominguez KC said the crash had been due to a “momentary lapse of concentration” and he had shown “significant remorse”.
“He has not looked to offer any excuses. He has taken full responsibility for his actions,” he added.
The court was told Norwich City was likely to terminate his employment if he was sent to prison.
READ MORE: Former Norwich City player to stand trial with woman in 'laughing gas' case
Jailing Clarke for 12 months and banning him from driving for 30 months, Judge Sean Enright said his action has led to “immense harm”.
Peterborough-born Clarke was signed by the Canaries in 2021 after a handful of senior appearances for Peterborough United.
The midfielder had a brief spell on loan with League Two club Walsall last year and had been on loan this season at National League outfit Dagenham and Redbridge.
Clarke, who is under contract until 2025, is yet to make a senior competitive appearance for the Canaries, but featured during pre-season, coming on as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Barnet in July.
In a statement, the club said: “Norwich City notes the decision at Peterborough Crown Court in relation to its player, Flynn Clarke.
“Following the decision, the club will now consider the matter internally in accordance with its own disciplinary procedure.”
It is currently not illegal to possess or use nitrous oxide. However, earlier this week MPs voted in favour of making it a Class C drug.
Dealers and users could face jail time and unlimited fines under the measures expected to come into force by the end of the year.
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