Drink driver jailed for injuring family in crash

Burden's BMW collided with a Toyota Verso on the A30 Shaftesbury Road in November 2023

A drink driver who seriously injured a woman and her two children in a crash has been jailed for two years.

Christopher Burden, 46, of Weaveland Road in Tisbury, crashed his motorbike into a parked car on 17 November 2023. He was helped up by bystanders who suspected he was drunk.

When he got home he got into his BMW car - despite being over the drink drive limit - and minutes later crashed into a vehicle containing the family on the A30 at Donhead St Mary.

Burden, who pleaded guilty to three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, was given a two-year custodial sentence when he appeared at Salisbury Crown Court on Friday.

The first year of his sentence will be spent in prison and the second on licence.

He was also given a two-year driving ban which will be imposed following his release from prison.

'Squeeze her hand'

The court heard Burden crashed his motorcycle into a parked car close to his former address near Shaftesbury and was helped up by bystanders.

When he returned home, he got into his car and drove to the A30 Shaftesbury Road where he overtook a vehicle on a blind bend while speeding, hitting the family's car.

The female driver of the car said her daughter, then aged 10, suffered significant psychological trauma and experienced nightmares up to three times a week for six months as a result of the crash.

Burden crashed his motorbike into a parked car shortly before his BMW collided with the family's car

In a statement, the woman said: "[My daughter] had six sessions of therapy with a psychologist which helped but it took time for her to feel comfortable going in the car and she still doesn't sit in the seat she was in at the time of the collision.

"She would also get triggers which caused flashbacks, such as the smell of burning and loud noises.

"This would cause her to freeze on the spot and we worked out a coping mechanism where I would squeeze her hand to reassure her."

'Reckless behaviour'

All three victims made a full physical recovery.

Temporary Det Con Alexander Collins, Wiltshire Police's roads policing lead investigator, said: "Burden caused a substantial amount of physical and psychological damage to a family who must now live with the consequences of his reckless behaviour for the rest of their lives.

"If you drink alcohol and drive, you are far more likely to be involved in a fatal collision.

"If you survive, you will be brought to court where you will face a mandatory driving disqualification and possibly jail time."