Terrifying moment driver ploughs into pedestrian just hours after being released from prison over ANOTHER horror crash
The victim was left with traumatic brain injuries after being ploughed into by a recently released prisoner.
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Hugh Raymond Holmes, 35, had been released from jail on December 19 last year but the same afternoon he got into a fight on Faraday Street, Ferryhill.
The fight kicked off after Holmes' girlfriend, who had been a passenger in his car, claimed people in a van had been offensive to her.
Footage shows Holmes and James Cowie, 28 get into a violent confrontation after Holmes pulled over and confronted Cowie.
Holmes tries to punch Cowie who ducks the blow and proceeds to batter Holmes to the ground.
Holmes escapes the assault and gets back into his motor to drive away, Cowie then begins punching a male passenger in Holmes' car.
A brave innocent bystander who witnessed the violence tries to intervene to stop it, approaching Cowie and encouraging him to get back into his vehicle.
While Cowie and the victim are talking Holmes sped his vehicle straight at the two men.
Cowie manages to jump out of the way but the innocent bystander is struck by the motor and jammed between it and Cowie's van.
The victim suffered traumatic brain injuries and underwent seven long months of hospital treatment after the harrowing ordeal.
CCTV, recently released by Durham Constabulary, captured the entire incident.
Shocking moment speeding van driver distracted by phone slams into broken-down car leaving victim with lifelong injuries
Holmes has since been charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent, inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, disqualified driving, driving with no insurance and refusing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis.
The recently released lag pleaded guilty to all charges except causing grievous bodily harm.
Following a two-day trial at Teesside Crown Court last week, he was found guilty in just 20 minutes by the jury.
Holmes was jailed for 18 years and banned from driving for 15 years.
Cowie was sentenced to eight months immediate imprisonment but the term was considered served because of the time he had spent in custody.
DC Lauren Howe, who led the investigation, said: 'Holmes is a despicable criminal who clearly hadn't learnt any lessons from his previous crime which he had just been released from prison for.
"He left the victim with critical injuries just before Christmas and they continue to have a huge impact on him and his family.
'However, thanks to the bravery of the victim and the whole community pulling together, we were able to gather overwhelming evidence to charge Holmes and put him back before the court.
"We hope putting Holmes back behind bars for a significant amount of time will bring some comfort to the victim who, in his own words, continues to stand tall."
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