A teenage driver filmed himself driving without his hands on the wheel moments before causing a crash that left a mother paralysed from the neck down.

George Taylor, 19, drove into the back of the woman's car on the A47 without slowing down, after becoming distracted by his phone.

Norwich Magistrates’ Court heard that an analysis of mobile phone data, messages and GPS revealed he had been using it throughout his journey. A police officer at the scene of the crash on the A47 at Hockering in January 2023A police officer at the scene of the crash on the A47 at Hockering in January 2023 (Image: Newsquest)

Photos and video also showed he had recorded himself without his hands on the wheel while driving.

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At the moment of the crash itself, he was reaching to move his phone from the cupholder where he had placed it, in order to reach his vape.

The crash happened at the crossroads of the A47 with Church Lane and Sandy Lane, between Hockering and Honingham.

Witnesses said Taylor's VW Golf appeared not to react to the traffic ahead of it and ploughed straight into a Skoda Fabia.

The woman, who was a fitness instructor in her 40s and the mother of a nine-year-old, went into cardiac arrest and was airlifted to hospital fighting for her life. 

George Taylor pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangers drivingGeorge Taylor pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangers driving (Image: Newsquest)

Emma Pocknell, prosecuting, said she had suffered a life-threatening blood clot and fractured vertebrae that meant she was now quadriplegic and is ventilated for breathing.

Taylor, of Pymoor, near Ely, in Cambridgeshire, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Deputy District Judge Jacqui Appleton committed his sentencing to Norwich Crown Court on November 25, warning him: “All options including immediate custody of some length will be open to the judge."

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The crash, on January 18, 2023, occurred when Taylor, who works as a tractor driver, was aged 17 and had only just passed his test.  

The woman he hit suffered a cardiac arrest and had to be airlifted fighting for her lifeThe woman he hit suffered a cardiac arrest and had to be airlifted fighting for her life (Image: Bobi Holmes)

Jonathan Perkins, for Taylor, said: “He tells me he feels sick when he recalls the consequences of the collision. He absolutely appreciates that this is a very serious matter.” 

His age and previous good character meant “custody, while likely, is not inevitable”, he added.