A woman was seriously injured by a drunk driver as she was about to get into a taxi with her dog outside a friend’s home, a court heard.

Suzy Dabner was sent flying through the air and ended up with five fractures to her face. Her dog Honey was trapped under the wheel of the car and badly hurt.

Lee Hogan, of Hargate Close, Tunbridge Wells, denied causing serious injury by dangerous driving, but was convicted.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the cabbie went to Matthew Sankey’s house in Stockland Green Road in the town at about 10pm on March 28 last year to collect Miss Dabner.

He stopped in the narrow road near the junction of Etherington Hill, put his hazard lights on and waited.

Prosecutor David McNeill said as Miss Dabner went to the rear door on the driver’s side the cabbie saw headlights approaching fast in his rear view mirror.

“He was unable to do anything,” said Mr McNeill. “It was as if he took no action to avoid him at all. He felt impact on the back of the taxi.

“The next thing he saw was Miss Dabner flying past his window and she ended up on the drive. She has no memory now of how this happened.

“Mr Sankey heard the crash. He heard the dog screaming. He found Miss Dabner lying on the driveway.”

"While the victim in this case was very lucky to have escaped with her life, the injuries suffered by both her and her dog have had a big emotional impact" - PC Mark Trinder

Her five-year-old Boxer dog was under the passenger side wheel of 43-year-old Hogan’s Audi TT coupe. He reversed off the pet.

The victim was taken to hospital and treated for the facial fractures, including one to her eye socket and one to her jaw. Metal plates were inserted.

“The injuries are likely to be life-changing and permanent,” said Mr McNeill.

The dog spent a month in a veterinary hospital. It was originally feared she would have to be put down but she instead made a recovery and recently started walking again.

The taxi driver suffered whiplash from the impact. Hogan failed a breathtest and was found to be twice the legal driving limit.

He told police he had been to the Hand and Sceptre pub in Southborough, where he drank two points of lager and two pints of shandy. He admitted it was stupid to drive after having so much to drink. He agreed he drove carelessly but denied it was dangerously.

Hogan was bailed until sentence on June 3

Investigating officer PC Mark Trindersaid: "While the victim in this case was very lucky to have escaped with her life, the injuries suffered by both her and her dog have had a big emotional impact.

"Lee Hogan claims he thought he was safe to drive despite drinking four pints of lager beforehand, but the truth is that any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive. The only safe option is to not drink alcohol at all if you are planning to get behind the wheel.

"Our message is simple – if you’re drinking, don’t drive. And if you’re driving, don’t drink."