A momentary lapse in concentration by a driver resulted in his mum being paralysed in both arms and legs.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard the victim, Nasreem Akram, was still in hospital 16 months after the life-changing incident, which occurred on February 13, 2023.

Nasima Patel, prosecuting, told the court there were no winners in what was a tragic case.

Sabar Akram, 42, of New Hall Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £114 victim surcharge.

Passing sentence, Deputy District Judge Jayne Bryan said it was a very sad case.

"The circumstances have had a quite devastating impact on you and your family and nothing I do today will change that," she said.

Miss Patel said Akram had been driving his Skoda Octavia along the A56 having picked his parents up in Accrington, heading to London to visit friends.

The defendant's father, Mohammed Akram, said in a statement that the car in front suddenly came to a halt.

His son tried to avoid running into the back of the car but clipped it before colliding with the barrier.

Mr Akram suffered back pain and was in hospital for 10 days. 

"His wife was unconscious in the car," said Miss Patel.

"She was taken to Preston Royal Hospital with spinal injuries which needed surgery.

"She was paralysed and unable to move her arms or legs. She has still not left the hospital."

Neil Davies, by way of mitigation, said it was not a case of excessive speed.

"His failing was not to maintain sufficient stopping distance to the vehicle in front," said Mr Davies.

He said Akram was a devoted son who had moved back from London to East Lancashire to look after his parents.

"It is a sad position he finds himself in having caused such grievous injuries to his own mother," said Mr Davies.

He said a mattress had fallen onto the carriageway and that had caused some disruption to the traffic, causing the vehicle in front to come to a sharp halt.

"It is accepted by Mrs Akram that she wasn't wearing her seatbelt," said Mr Davies.