A YOUNG mum who left her ex-boyfriend brain damaged after drunkenly mowing him down has been spared jail by a judge who did not want to “ruin” her four-year-old son’s life.

Katie Lomas, 20, ran over 22-year Dean Heaney at up 40mph during a 4am ''jousting'' game following a night out.

4 Katie Lomas has avoided jail despite leaving her ex brain damaged when she ran over him while drunk Credit: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd

Heaney, who has a child with Lomas but split up with her just a month before the incident, was left fighting for his life with a punctured lung, fractures to the ribs and ligament damage.

He also suffered brain damage in the impact and has been unable to work since.

The incident took place in the early hours of January 30 last year following Lomas and Heaney’s split on the previous New Year's Eve.

After the impact Lomas, who was eight points over the drink-drive limit, told onlookers: “What have I done?”

In mitigation for Lomas, defence counsel Steven Sullivan said: "She is of previous good character and at the time of this incident she was only a few days past her 20th birthday and quite clearly immature.

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''When she got into the vehicle she had no idea what the consequences would be. The case is coming up to its first anniversary and she has a great deal of regret and remorse.

"If she could only turn back the clock of course she would. She is a mother and takes this responsibly very seriously.

"She is the primary carer of her son who has just started reception at school and the complainant can see his son whenever he wants to.

"She does not work but is a full time mother to her son. She regrets her actions and had no intention to harm Dean and that will remain with her.''

4 Lomas left victim Heaney fighting for his life with a punctured lung, fractures to the ribs and ligament damage Credit: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd

Today Lomas, of Stalybridge, Manchester, gave a double thumbs-up after she walked free from Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving, drink driving and having no license or insurance.

Lomas, who was originally arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, was given a two-year jail term suspended for 18 months and was ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work.

She cannot apply for a driving licence for two years and must take an extended driving test.

4 Lomas gave a thumbs-up outside court today after escaping jail for drink-drive horror that left ex brain damaged Credit: Cavendish Press

4 Judge Miss Recorder Samantha Presland told Lomas: "Three lives should not be ruined as a result of incident" Credit: Cavendish Press

The judge Miss Recorder Samantha Presland told her: "I am going to give you full credit for your guilty plea, however, this is an extremely serious incident and both of you were very lucky.

“It happened in a moment of madness and temper however there is no evidence in your past that this is a pattern of behaviour - so I say this is reckless stupidity.

"However, a car is a lethal weapon. I take note of the fact that you have been suffering for the past months waiting for this to happen and I do not think you are someone who is going to go out and commit a criminal offence.

"Three lives should not be ruined as a result of a reckless incident."

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