A Kenyan national, Augustine Kiprono, has been sentenced to three years in prison by Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court for injuring elderly couple Stuart and Valerie Heath while driving drunk.

The court found that Kiprono’s intoxication contributed to his dangerous driving.

The victims, proud grandparents of five children, were returning home after a day out in Wales when they had a life-changing encounter with the drunk driver, Kiprono, who was behind the wheel of a silver Vauxhall Vectra.

Stuart, 68, who was riding a motorcycle with 66-year-old Valerie as his pillion passenger, said there was “no avoiding” a collision as they went around a bend on the A53 between Leek and Endon.

Kiprono, 28, was nearly one-and-a-half times over the legal drink-drive limit when he attempted to overtake a lorry. However, he did not allow himself enough time to complete the maneuver before the bend and ended up on the wrong side of the road, colliding with the motorcycle.

After the horrifying crash, Kiprono and his four passengers fled the scene, leaving the grandparents seriously injured and sprawled on the tarmac.

Stuart suffered a broken left leg and left arm, as well as a displaced fracture, while Valerie fractured her thigh and was left with one leg shorter than the other. The couple spent more than two weeks in hospital and now rely heavily on support from family and friends.

Stuart also had to make the “heartbreaking” decision to sell his dairy herd, while Valerie had to give up her job as a dog walker.

“I had to sell the dairy herd of 120 milking cows. I am still using a crutch to walk. I am limited in what I can do. I do not know if I could ever get back on a motorcycle,” Stuart said.

The court pronounced the sentence after it emerged that even after being bailed out following the accident that led to the couple’s hospitalization, Kiprono showed a lack of remorse and drove again before his trial. He was also found guilty of other traffic offences, including driving without a licence and while uninsured.

Kiprono was banned from driving for six-and-a-half years and must pass an extended retest before being allowed back on the road.

As a foreign national, Kiprono’s immigration status will be reviewed by the UK Home Office. Given his conviction for causing serious injury by dangerous driving and his repeat driving offences, authorities are likely to recommend his immediate deportation to Kenya.

Even if Kiprono remains in the UK, his criminal record could have long-term consequences, affecting future employment, travel, or visa applications.