A devoted father who crashed his car and caused serious injury to his young son while intoxicated has walked free after a judge heard about his devastation and the vital part he is playing in his recovery.

Kristoffer Keeves’ son William suffered a fractured skull and brain damage in the accident in Paddock Wood on June 5 last year.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the prognosis for the child, then aged 22 months, was at first grim.

But a judge was told on Thursday that he had made “extraordinary progress” and his future was now much more hopeful.

Keeves, of Brionne Gardens, Tonbridge, admitted dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and having no insurance.

He was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work.

The 31-year-old was banned from driving for three years and will have to take an extended test before his licence will be returned.

"You are entirely at fault. You have said if you could change places with him you would. A report says prison would have a negative effect on William..." - Judge Martin Joy

Keeves was driving a Renault Laguna in Badsell Road at about 6.30pm. The road was being resurfaced and a temporary speed limit of 20mph was in force.

Prosecutor Paul Valder said another driver saw Keeves’ car coming “pretty fast” in the opposite direction swaying from side to side.

It then collided with a Mercedes A Class car driven by Christine Evans. Her car was spun around by the impact.

She escaped with minor injuries but Keeves emerged from his car holding his son in his arms screaming for an ambulance to be called.

His wife, meanwhile, who suffers from agoraphobia, was trapped in the front passenger seat. Amanda Weller, who has medical training, held her head for 45 minutes while the roof was cut off to free her.

Keeves was breathalysed and found to be a third over the limit. He explained that he and his wife had been to see a friend whose husband had just died of cancer.

He also said: “I was having a row with my missus.”

William was taken to Kings College Hospital in London by an air ambulance crew and found to have widespread brain damage.

“At that time the prognosis was gloomy,” said Mr Valder. “The paediatrician advised the parents he was likely to suffer disability. He described the injuries as severe and life threatening.

“However, the current prognosis is much more hopeful.”

Describing it as “a catastrophic collision”, Judge Martin Joy said it was not an easy sentencing exercise.

Keeves, he said, was plainly going too fast having drunk alcohol. “The most serious injury was to you son,” he continued. “Quite clearly this is something you deeply regret. It was a very poor prognosis.

“He has made considerable progress but will always have the effects of these life-altering head injuries. That is quite clear.

"You are going to have to bear the consequences of this for the rest of your life. There is no doubt about that..." - Judge Martin Joy

“I accept you and your wife were an integral part of his rehabilitation. The Children’s Trust and the medical profession have been working miracles to make it possible for William to not only survive but to have a future.

“You are going to have to bear the consequences of this for the rest of your life. There is no doubt about that.”

The judge added: “You are entirely at fault. You have said if you could change places with him you would. A report says prison would have a negative effect on William.

“I am satisfied it is appropriate to suspend the sentence.”

Thomas Godfrey, defending, said he was pleased to report that William was vastly improved having made extraordinary progress from a dire situation.

He had returned home about six weeks ago having been in hospital and then a home.

“The situation now is there is a young boy with some difficulties but the prognosis is extremely positive,” said Mr Godfrey. “His parents have been absolutely key in his development.

“From this very tragic accident and what could have happened, we are in a very different place now.”

Real lessons had been learnt by Keeves, he said, in the harshest way imaginable.
“This is a true one-off with terrible consequences,” he continued. “These are extremely unusual circumstances.”