A driver who caused a crash that seriously injured two people has been jailed for eight months.

Shaun Argent, 25, had denied dangerous driving, but was convicted by a jury earlier this year.

He has also been banned from driving for two years.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard Argent had been driving his Alfa Romeo car along the B1018 at Cressing, at 7am, on November 25 last year, in dark and foggy conditions.

John Bishop, prosecuting, said Argent was following a lorry and attempted to overtake the vehicle on a bend.

Argent collided with a Vauxhall Astra car coming from the opposite direction.

Jamas Hodivala, mitigating, told the court yesterday that Argent now accepted it was a dangerous manoeuvre, but blamed his car's clutch.

He apologised to the victims who were injured, and regretted the consequences of his actions.

The driver of the Astra suffered a collapsed lung, cuts and bruises. His passenger suffered a broken collarbone and fractured rib. Argent suffered head injuries

Published Tuesday November 18, 2003

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