A Halesowen drink driver who crashed a stolen car into a traffic sign in Stourbridge causing life changing injuries to himself and a passenger, has avoided jail.

Anthony Evitts, of Wesley Avenue, sustained a serious brain injury and multiple fractures and now needs constant care following the accident in Birmingham Road, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

His brother’s girlfriend, also suffered multiple fractures and has been left permanently scarred by facial lacerations.

29-year-old Evitts was given a 12-month jail term, suspended for two years. He was told he was being allowed to keep his freedom because he’d already been punished physically for what he had done.