A Mercedes driver lost his job after causing a nasty head-on crash by going the wrong way down a slip road.

Jamie Barnett, 30, from Dover, slammed into a Volvo being driven by Joseph Ormerod, who suffered a broken breastbone and had to spend time in hospital.

A court heard Barnett had been at the wheel of a friend’s Mercedes E220 when he drove the wrong way along the A20 slip road at Hawkinge, near Folkestone.

Mr Ormerod’s wife Elaine was also injured in the smash, while his car was written off and the caravan he had been towing was also damaged.

After Barnett, of Auden Way, was charged with causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving he lost his job as a detention custody officer at Manston Immigration Centre.

He pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared in court in May and the case was adjourned so a pre-sentencing report on him could be carried out.

He returned to Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, July 31, to hear his fate.

Deputy District Judge Claire Luxford heard the crash happened at 2.10pm on August 27 last year on the bend of the A20 slip road which exits onto the A260 Spitfire Way roundabout.

Neil Sweeney, prosecuting, said: “Witnesses saw him driving the wrong way on the slip road and said he collided with the other car.”

The prosecutor said that when police arrived, Barnett told them he had taken a wrong turn in error and he was given a breath test at the scene which proved negative.

Mr Sweeney said: “Mr Ormerod suffered serious chest injuries. He had a broken sternum. But I can’t assist with the long-lasting effects of the injury as Mr Ormerod has not given a victim impact statement.

“His wife also suffered chest injuries and was discharged later that day. But Mr Ormerod had to stay in hospital overnight.”

Mr Sweeney also told Judge Luxford that Barnett made no comment to officers when he was being interviewed. While the defendant did have previous convictions, they were unrelated and historic.

However, he did have three points on his licence for speeding in September 2022. When he pleaded guilty to the careless driving offence in May, he had been given an interim ban at that stage.

James Langridge, defending, told the court this was a very sad case of careless driving and that his client cooperated at the roadside.

He added: “He wasn’t speeding, nor were there any aggravating features. It was just unfortunate he took the wrong turning.

“He’s extremely remorseful and his remorse is genuine.”

“I deeply apologise for the accident I caused…”

Mr Langridge then read a letter Barnett had written to the court.

It read: “I deeply apologise for the accident I caused. I am sorry for the pain and suffering of them and their family.

“It has played heavily on my conscience and I deeply regret the impact it has had on their lives.”

Mr Langridge also told the judge the defendant had lost his employment after being charged and he is now studying business management and marketing.

Judge Luxton then asked when Barnett had realised he had gone the wrong way down the slip road, which had a blind turn.

Mr Langridge added: “He didn’t realise until the accident and would have stopped before the collision if he had.”

A probation officer who carried out the pre-sentencing report on Barnett also told the court he had no issues with drink or drugs, nor any mental health problems.

Judge Luxton told Barnett she would give him credit for his early guilty plea, but added: “It was a very unsafe manoeuvre you did, going the wrong way along the slip road.

“The crash caused serious injury, but I cannot assess further about any other ongoing treatment.

“But I hear you are a positive person with a kind nature and you are genuinely remorseful and had great insight into your actions last year.”

As a result, she placed Barnett on a 12-month community order which will see him complete 100 hours of unpaid work. She also banned him from driving for 12 months, starting from the date he was given the interim ban in May.

Barnett was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 as well as £85 court costs.