RAF sergeant awarded £1.7m in compensation after being hit by drink driver
A formerly mild-mannered RAF sergeant whose personality was altered when he was hit by a drink driver has been awarded £1.7 million in compensation.
Robert Cornes, who had served as an aircraft engineer for 18 years prior to the incident, sustained serious brain injuries as a result of the impact with the vehicle.
He had been walking down a street in Witney, a town situated 12 miles west of Oxford, when a car hit a bus shelter that subsequently collapsed on him.
The driver, David Southwood, had been attempting to do a handbrake turn at 55mph when the accident occurred. He was later jailed after pleading guilty to dangerous and drink driving.
A high court hearing heard how Mr Cornes' behaviour changed dramatically as a result of the impact and how he began to display "sexually inappropriate behaviour", as well as a tendency to use foul language and an aggressive temper.
He now requires the help of case managers and a team of support workers.
20/03/2008 15:54
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