A MAN who caused a crash which seriously injured a woman while he was over the drink-drive limit has been jailed.

Francois Jules Amy Le Gresley, 28, of Lynn Crescent, Fareham, was driving a silver Audi A3 in an "erratic" fashion before crossing into oncoming traffic and hitting a VW Jetta head-on, which then collided with a Ford Fiesta.

The driver of the VW, a woman in her 30s, was taken to Southampton General Hospital and suffered fractures to her thigh bone, elbow, and foot, as well as broken and cracked vertebrae. She was in hospital for 18 days.

Le Gresley was taken to hospital after the crash and four hours after the incident a blood sample was taken, showing he was over the drink drive limit.

He admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drink driving following the incident, which happened at about 11pm on the A31 near Stag Gate in east Dorset.

Police sergeant Phil Lee of Dorset Police said: "“This case is another example of the devastating impacts of drink driving.

“While the injuries sustained by the victim were significant, I would echo the judge's comments that it is only through good fortune that Francois Le Gresley’s reckless actions did not have fatal consequences.

“I would like to thank the victim for her support during the investigation process and hope that she is now able to move on with her life and her recovery."

Le Gresley was jailed for three years and four months and banned from driving for seven years, with the ban beginning once he has been released.