A 63 YEAR-OLD serial drink driver who left a young biker for dead after crashing into him has avoided jail.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Thomas Scully drove whilst more than twice the legal limit after spending four hours drinking in a pub in the Openshaw area of Manchester, before crashing into 17 year-old Michael Daniels and 'driving off at speed', leaving the teenager stricken.

Manchester magistrate's court heard how Scully turned directly into the path of the young rider, who was wearing 'a helmet, protective clothing and high-visiblity vest'.

Despite the fact that Scully holds two previous convictions for drink-driving, magistrates decided against a prison term, instead imposing a suspended sentence of 18 weeks, suspended for 12 months during which he will complete 250 hours of community service. He is also banned from the road for two years.

The victim was rushed to hospital and almost died when his heart stopped beating during a six-hour operation - the teenager suffered a broken shoulder and thigh bone, spending two nights in an induced coma. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Scully was arrested after a witness followed him for more than a mile and confiscated his keys after Scully pulled over believing the individual to be a police officer.

Richard Andrew, spokesman road safety campaigners Brake said: 'Drink-driving is incredibly dangerous and selfish behaviour which shows no concern for the law or for the safety of other road users, and can have devastating consequences.

'Tough sentences are needed where drivers show a reckless disregard for the lives of others. Brake encourages judges and the courts to use the full range of powers available to them for those who flout the law, in order to provide an active deterrent to other drivers from taking such enormous risks.'