A BMW driver who left a pedestrian seriously injured after a crash in Folkestone has been rebuked by a judge for laughing and smirking.

The judge tore a strip off 26-year-old Nathan Burgoyne for his behaviour in the dock while the victim gave evidence.

Skating instructor Andrew Lawrence had wept as he recalled how he was left with "catastrophic and life-changing injuries" and his gundog Dizzy hurt so badly she needed to be put down.

But when the jury left for a break during the three-day trial at Canterbury Crown Court, Judge Heather Norton chastised Burgoyne for “rolling his eyes, shaking his head, smirking and laughing”.

The self-employed marketing rep – who lived in Bouverie Road West, Folkestone but has since moved to Deal – has now been banned from driving for eight months.

The jury acquitted him of causing the injuries by driving dangerous but found him guilty of the lesser charge of careless driving.

Judge Norton also fined Burgoyne £5,000 and told him he had six months to pay – or face jail in default.

Mr Lawrence recalled how he was crossing Radnor Park Road with his pet when they were knocked over the bonnet of the powerful BMW sports car.

The 54-year-old grandfather suffered multiple fractures in the accident in April two years ago.

Wiping away tears, Mr Lawrence said his pet had to be put to sleep because of her injuries; adding:

“She didn’t need to die that way.”

Mr Lawrence claimed that Burgoyne – was “ ragging it around the roundabout. He must have been. He was towing it, “ he said.

But Burgoyne denied he was “a boy racer” and alleged his victim had stepped into the road.

Prosecutor Bridget Todd told how Mr Lawrence was knocked over the car and blacked out and was later taken to the William Harvey Hospital with five fractures to his legs, a fractured and displaced shoulder, three cracked vertebrae.

Judge Norton told Burgoyne: “The only reason you hit Mr Lawrence was because of excess speed or you were not paying attention..or, most likely, both.

“This was a bad course of careless driving – and has not been helped by your attitude (during the trial) which I commented on.

“And when you gave evidence you seemed more concerned about the damage to your car and the cost of repairs than by the injuries suffered by Mr Lawrence.”

Mr Lawrence said as a result of his injuries he is unable to work, enjoy leisure activities or look after his mother and grandchildren.

In the public gallery during the trial was Burgoyne’s brother Daniel – jailed two years ago for defrauding 18 victims with a carbon credit investment scam. He had posed as a diamond and wine dealer but was later unmasked as an ex-butcher who had conned £75,000 from investors.