A CO Down jockey has been jailed after crashing a stolen car head-on into a woman travelling to meet him for a first date.

Drunk driver Trevor Woodside (33) was told it was an "appalling piece of driving'' which had left his victim with "significant long term injuries'', both physically and psychologically.

Woodside, of Castleview, Killyleagh, had pleaded guilty at Downpatrick Crown Court to causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving with excess alcohol and having no insurance.

Sam Magee, prosecuting, said the accident happened on March 30 2014 when he was due to meet the victim for "their first date''.

He said Woodside had taken a Mercedes belonging to his employer without his permission and had been drinking earlier in the day.

The woman was travelling from Newry to Crossgar for their date and while en route received a number of calls and text messages from Woodside asking about her location.

She believed he was drinking and told him to "catch himself on'' as she was aware he had no licence.

Mr Magee said the woman was driving along the Ballydougan Road outside Downpatrick in her Volkswagen Golf at a speed of 45mph in a 60mph zone.

"As she approached the junction with the Drumcullen Road near Downpatrick racecourse, suddenly a black Mercedes car came at her at speed after having crossed on to her side of the road.

"One witness described that the black Mercedes had passed their vehicle 'like a rocket'.

"The woman swerved in an attempt to avoid a collision, but to no avail.''

The Golf spun around on the road before careering down a bank and into trees, dislodging the engine onto the road. The Mercedes came to rest in the grass verge'.

While Woodside was conscious and complaining of a back injury, the woman was knocked unconscious and had to have a plate inserted in her right foot and a drain in her chest.

"She had skin grafts to her foot and further surgery will be required to her foot. She spent two weeks in hospital.''

Mr Magee added: "She was physically sick when she discovered who the driver of the other vehicle was.''

Five hours after the accident Woodside was found to be twice the drink driving limit.

When the Mercedes was examined the speedometer was "frozen'' between 75-80mph.

Eugene Grant QC, defending, said the pair had met while they were both working at Downpatrick racecourse.

He handed a letter from Woodside into the court which said that if he was allowed to speak to the woman, he would "apologise for all the pain and grief that I have caused to her and her family".

The lawyer added that Woodside would never ride again as a professional jockey and now walked with a limp.

Judge Piers Grant said as a result of his "appalling driving" the woman walks with a limp and would have long-term problems with her foot.

"As a consequence of her injuries, she can no longer wear high heels shoes, short dresses or summer dresses because of the scarring to her foot.''

He sentenced Woodside to 21 months in custody and a further 21 months on licence following his release.

He was also banned from driving for six years and is required to sit the advance driver's course.