Former councillor broke 'most of the bones in his body' after being hit by van driver in head-on smash

Terry Haram was left in a critical condition after Dutchman Jerry Bouma ploughed into the car he was a passenger in on the A66 in Cumbria.

Bouma, 44, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday via a prison video link and pleaded guilty to a charge of causing serious injury to Mr Haram by dangerous driving.

He also admitted driving with excess alcohol - 48mg in 100ml of breath - in relation to the same incident. The limit is 35mg.

The charges follow a head-on collision on the A66 near Temple Sowerby - between Penrith and Appleby - on October 24. Police, firefighters and the Great North Air Ambulance Service attended the scene, and the road was closed in both directions for several hours.

The crash was said by police at the time to have involved three vehicles. One was the Renault Master van driven by Bouma, and another was a Nissan Qashqai in which Mr Haram, a former Whiteleas councillor, was travelling in with wife Margaret.

Addressing Judge Peter Davies, prosecutor Beccy McGregor said of Mr Haram: "He had to be taken by air ambulance to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and was treated for injuries that would have been life-changing - effectively breaking most of the bones in his body.

"He was at that time in a critical condition."

Mrs Haram was also taken to hospital after being injured but was later discharged.

Ms McGregor said efforts would be made to obtain a victim impact statement on behalf of Mr Haram ahead of sentencing.

This will take place on December 12 after Judge Davies adjourned the case.

Bouma was said to have a previous excess alcohol conviction, in his native country, which dated back to 2008.

Defence lawyer Paul Tweddle confirmed Bouma, of Oudewater, Holland, "does not have any connection to the United Kingdom".

"The defendant is keen to proceed to sentence as quickly as possible," said Mr Tweddle.

Bouma was remanded in custody until next month’s sentencing hearing.