An Exmouth man has been given a suspended prison sentence after causing a serious injury to a woman while behind the wheel in East Devon.

James Shaw, 67, of Broadpark Road, injured the woman while driving a Hyundai car “without due care and attention” on April 4, 2023.

The incident took place on London Road in Clyst Honiton, near Exeter Airport.

Shaw was handed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for one year, when he appeared at Exeter Magistrates' Court on December 18.

Court documents say his guilty plea was taken into account when he was sentenced, but the offence was “so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified” because of the injury caused to the woman.

The sentence was suspended because of Shaw's health issues.

He has been banned from driving for two years and must pay a £154 surcharge to fund victim services and £85 in court costs.

Shaw will make the payments in monthly instalments of £20 from January 15.

What is a suspended sentence?

Defendants who are given a custodial sentence between two weeks and two years can have their sentences suspended by a court.

Explaining this, the Sentencing Council says: “This means that the offender does not go to prison immediately but is given the chance to stay out of trouble and comply with up to 13 requirements set by the court.

“If the offender does not comply with the requirements, or is convicted of another offence during the the time of their suspended sentence, they are likely to serve the original custodial term as well as the sentence they get for the new offence.”