A DRINK and drug-driver has been jailed for more than two-and-a-half years after a crash left his friend paralysed.

Matthew Sargant, 22, of High Street, Eastleigh, was locked up for two years and eight months after pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Southampton Crown Court.

He also admitted to drink-driving, drug-driving and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class B.

The court heard how Sargant, pictured, was driving his silver Ford Fiesta along Templars Way, Chandler’s Ford, in the early hours of September 25, when he lost control and smashed into a lamppost and tree.

He and his three friends, who were passengers in the car, all suffered serious injuries and were taken to Southampton General Hospital.

The prosecution told the court how the group of friends had been out drinking in Eastleigh that night before Sargant got behind the wheel to drive them all home.

Sargant, who was 21 at the time, suffered a knee injury but was discharged the following morning, as was one of his back-eat passengers, a then-21-year-old man from Eastleigh, who suffered concussion.

His front-seat passenger, a man from Chandler’s Ford who was 19, was left in a critical condition and is now unable to walk.

His third passenger, a man from Hedge End who was 19, suffered nerve damage to his arm which resulted in a number of surgical procedures.

Officers from the Roads Policing Unit arrested Sargant at the scene and tests later revealed he was over the drink drive limit and had cannabis in his system which exceeded the drug-drive limit.

Sargant was sentenced to 28 months for both counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was also given a four-month jail term for possession with intent to supply, which will run consecutively.

The judge disqualified him from driving for six years and four months for the drink and drug-driving offences.

PC James Fibbens, from Havant Roads Policing Unit, said: “A young man faces the rest of his life in a wheelchair thanks to the reckless decision of Sargant.

“This collision could have easily been avoided if Sargant had made the right decision that night and not driven home.

“I really hope this sentencing acts as a warning to anyone who thinks the dangers of drink and drug-driving don’t relate to them.”