SHOCKING footage of a drink driver swerving across the road into oncoming traffic before slamming head-on into a motorcyclist on the A32 near Wickham has been released.

Reckless Stephen Jones escaped jail by the skin of his teeth on Friday after he hospitalised biker Scott Lemon following an afternoon boozing alone in a pub.

Jones, who hung his head in shame while the video was played to Portsmouth Crown Court, was just under four times the legal limit when tested by police.

In a two-minute recording a judge said "would make anyone's heart stop", the 58-year-old can be seen veering wildly while other horrified road users try to dodge his path as he travelled northbound on the A32 Droxford Road on April 30.

READ MORE: Drink driver spared jail after Hampshire crash puts biker in hospital

Jones, of Mill Road, Emsworth, can then be seen smashing into Mr Lemon in his white Peugeot Partner, sending him 'flying through the air'.

At his hearing, Judge David Melville QC could be heard wincing as he watched the distressing moment Jones thumped into the father of two as he travelled in the opposite direction.

Prosecutor Oliver Kelham described how Jones staggered around and slurred his words after he stepped out of the vehicle. Officers who attended the scene said he was so drunk that he fell over while walking to the police car and had to lean on the door for stability.

Tests revealed he had 120 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - almost four times the limit.

Mr Lemon, from Shirrell Heath, suffered horrific injuries from the ordeal, which left him needing multiple surgeries to repair damage to his knee and shin.

Speaking to the Chronicle in May, he said he felt 'incredibly lucky' not to have lost his leg.

In a statement read on behalf of Mr Lemon to the court, he said he was still walking with a limp more than two months on from the incident, adding that he often from suffers pain in his shoulder which is so intense he could "pass out".

Hampshire Chronicle: Scott Lemon is hospital following the crash and the damaged van Scott Lemon is hospital following the crash and the damaged van

"I have been robbed of my normal life," he said. "I'm worried for my family as I'm self employed and I haven't been able to work because of my injuries. I can't even play with my kids. When I think about the crash I feel incredibly angry that the selfishness of one person has done this to me."

Defending Jones, Mark Kessler said he had told police he was "disgusted" with himself during questioning and struggled to remember what had happened.

He claimed to have made attempts through officers to try and find out the extent of Mr Lemon's injuries, and said he was "shocked" to find out how badly the motorcyclist had been hurt.

Mr Kressler said Jones had become "socially isolated" and developed a chronic alcohol issue for which he is already seeking help. Since the incident, he says Jones has already sought counselling off his own back and has suffered just one relapse.

Sentencing Jones, Judge Melville said: "It is an appalling film to watch and the driving you displayed is quite extraordinary. The final event in which you crash into Mr Lemon, causing him to come off his bike, would cause anyone's heart to stop.

SEE ALSO: Victim of crash near Bishop's Waltham named

"He will suffer for a long time from the injuries he has sustained. It may take as long as two years for him to recover, if he fully recovers at all."

Judge Melville said he had taken into account several positive character references submitted on behalf of Jones, alongside his limited record of previous offending and guilty pleas.

"Despite this awful incident, prison can just about be avoided," he added.

Jones was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for two years for dangerous driving and drink driving. He was also ordered to pay costs of £420 by October 8 and complete 250 hours of unpaid work.

A driving ban of two years was enforced by the court and he will have to take an extended test if he wants to regain his licence.

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