A MENTALLY ill man injured two other drivers when he deliberately crashed his car with the intention of killing himself, a court heard.

Ian Tait escaped with minor injuries but one of the victims, mother Ratana Day, was seriously hurt.

Mrs Day, who had her three-year-old daughter with her, suffered fractures to a leg, arm and cheekbone. She had to have a plate inserted in her face and was detained in hospital for three weeks.

Tait, of Cornes Close, Willesborough, near Ashford, walked free from Maidstone Crown Court with a community order after a judge said it was essential that he did not behave in the same way again.

Judge David Caddick said under the three-year order, the 37-year-old would continue to have psychiatric treatment with the aim of improving his mental health.

The judge was shown photographs of the written-off cars of Mrs Day and the other victim, Frederick White.

Brigitte Todd, prosecuting, said Mr White and his granddaughter were travelling behind Mrs Day on the A20 from Ashford towards Folkestone on June 3 2005.

Tait hurtled around a bend in his Peugeot 306 and smashed into the side of Mrs Day’s Peugeot 205 near Sellindge.

Her legs were trapped in the footwell and she waited with her daughter until help arrived.

Tait’s car ricocheted into Mr White’s vehicle and he was also trapped. He managed to get out and a witness released his granddaughter.

Miss Todd said Mrs Day was left with glass in her eyes. Her daughter, Mr White, 69, and his granddaughter escaped with minor injuries.

Tait told police: "I did it deliberately. Voices made me do it. I was on my way to kill myself."

He added that he had not taken his medication for 10 days.

Tait admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving and damaging property.

Andrew Collings, defending, said Tait, accompanied in court by psychiatric nurses, had since made excellent progress.

Judge Caddick said the crash had "horrendous" consequences for Mrs Day, adding: "Your driving was extreme, to say the least."

The offences, he said, could warrant substantial prison sentences.

"Although a hospital order is not warranted, your mental condition needs, and may respond, to continued treatment, for which arrangements have been made," said the judge.

Tait was banned from driving for three years and will have to take an extended test before getting his licence back.