Hit-and-run driver who left schoolgirl fighting for life is locked up

Adnan Ajram, who was electronically tagged, had been out with his girlfriend and was late back for a 10pm curfew when he overtook a car in Grange Lane, Stourbridge, on December 17, a court heard.

Claudia Visser, aged 15, was seriously injured as she was struck by Ajram's sports-style Volkswagen Passat but he failed to stop and later abandoned the car.

The court heard that earlier that day the 24-year-old car valeter had attended a thinking skills session as part of his sentence for a previous driving offence.

Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting, said that Claudia's mother found out about the accident, close to the family home, when she rang her daughter worried that she was late and the phone was answered by someone who had gone to Claudia's aid.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard she looked out of her window and saw 'the commotion' of people.

Hannah Grove, a witness, said Ajram had overtaken her in a 30mph zone and was doing around 45mph to 50mph as he approached the pedestrian crossing outside Pedmore Technology College.

Claudia, who had been out with friends celebrating the last day of the Christmas term, had tried unsuccessfully to step back on to the pavement.

The court heard Claudia had suffered a fractured skull, bleeding to the brain, broken legs, wrist and collar bone, and damage to her spleen.

She was hospitalised for seven weeks and still uses a wheelchair, although she can walk short distances with crutches.

When arrested, Ajram said he had recently sold the car to his girlfriend and claimed she had been driving.

He then texted her and told her not to speak to police, the court heard.

Sentencing, Judge Nicolas Webb told the Ajram: "You are a callous and dishonest young man with no regard for the law and only interested in your own selfish ends."

Adjam, of Careless Green, Lye, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was also disqualified for driving for four years and told to pay a £120 victim surcharge.

Pc Karl Davies spoke on behalf of the family, saying: "They believe the sentence will never be a true reflection of Claudia's long road to recovery but they are comforted by the judge's remarks about Ajram and glad to put a line under this so they can get on with the rest of their lives."