Adam Hmimssa, of Vincent Road in Croydon, denied causing serious injury by dangerous driving, endangering the safety of a person conveyed in or upon the railway and driving with no insurance but was yesterday (Tuesday, 17 February) found guilty of all offences following a trial at Guildford Crown Court.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years and will have to undertake an extended drivingtest before being eligible to get his licence back.

The incident took place at around 4.40am on Saturday, 9 November 2013 when a black Vauxhall Astra, being driven by Hmimssa, was driving down the A22 Godstone Road.

As the vehicle reached the level crossing at the junction with Salmons Lane Hmimssa lost control and the car left the road and went up a steep bank before overturning and eventually coming to a stop on the railway line close to Whyteleafe South train station.

Hmimssa and two passengers in the vehicle suffered minor injuries during the collision. A third passenger suffered serious injuries and was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting for further treatment.

Sergeant Eddie Ryan, from Surrey Police's Collision Investigation Unit, said: "I welcome the lengthy custodial sentence for Hmimssa which clearly reflects the reckless and highly dangerous nature of his driving on the night of the incident.

"As a result of the collision one of the passengers in the vehicle suffered serious injuries which have left him dependant on medication for the rest of his life.

"The fact that the car came to a stop on the railway lines demonstrates how easily this incident could have had an even more tragic outcome and it is fortunate that the collision took place at a time of day when trains were not using the railway line.