THE FORMER chief executive of a drug addiction charity was jailed for two years today for causing serious injury to a motorcylist by driving dangerously after taking cocaine.

Stephen Cooke, 57, of Watledge rd, Nailsworth, nr Stroud, Glos, who was CEO of the Nelson Trust for 16 years until 2013, pleaded guilty at Gloucester crown court to driving his Alfa Romeo sports car dangerously on the A46.

The court heard that Cooke “slammed” his car into oncoming motorcyclist, Matthew Pierce, as Cooke engaged in a reckless overtaking manoeuvre around a bend, at speed, whilst high on cocaine just south of Calcot and the junction of the A4135 in the Tetbury area of Gloucestershire.

Mr Pierce and his Suzuki 400S were seen by a witness flying through the air following the collision at 1pm on 23rd June last year.

Prosecutor, Mark Hollier, told Judge Ian Lawrie QC at Gloucester crown court that Mr Pierce's bike “cleared a wall” and Mr Pierce himself “came to rest 44 metres away, against a wall.”

Mr Pierce, who attended court today still on crutches, suffered fractures to his tibia and fibula; fractured his knee in three places; and broke “many bones” in his foot.

He said that despite wearing protective leather trousers the accident resulted in “a degloving of my skin” as his body skidded across the tarmac.

Mr Hollier said that both the weather and the road conditions were good, with no mechanical defects found on either the Alfa Romeo 4C or the motorbike.

“It was purely human error and dangerous driving on behalf of the defendant,” Mr Hollier said.

Police accident investigators found that Cooke was driving at a minimum of 72mph, and left a 95 metre skid mark.

The Alfa Romeo stopped 130 metres after the point of impact. The judge noted: “That was a formidable distance.”

Mr Hollier said officers described Cooke as “excited and buzzing” when they attended the scene.

He failed a drug test, and was found to have 146mg of Benzolyecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, in his system. The legal limit is 50mg.

The judge said that Cooke had “engaged in a course of [dangerous] driving over some distance.”

Mr Hollier agreed, pointing to many witness statements where Cooke was described as overtaking people at high speed, over brows of hills, and blind bends.

One witness described seeing “an explosion of debris” before the motorcycle and rider flew past them in the air, following the accident.

Mr Hollier referred the court to a victim impact statement that Mr Pierce made just a few days ago.

He said that Mr Pierce suffered “a lot of emotional trauma as well as physical.” The accident had also meant he could not continue in his employment as an engineer.

Mr Hollier confirmed that Mr Pierce “is now on benefits. He was physically active, and all of that has been lost to him for the time being.”

Mr Hollier said that Mr Pierce “displays remarkable optimism and hope.”

The judge agreed saying “he shows courage as well,” before adding that Mr Pierce had “classic signs of post traumatic stress.”

Joe Maloney, representing Cooke, read a letter of apology from his client to Mr Pierce, and said he bitterly regrets what happened.

Mr Maloney said that Cooke was “a man who has had some difficulties” but was prepared for “the court's ultimate sanction.

“He has suffered with mental health issues for many years. He has struggled for many, many years.

“There is not a shadow of doubt this passes the custody threshold,” Mr Maloney conceded. “I just ask the court to be as lenient as it feels is just.”

Sentencing Cooke to two years jail, and banning him from driving for five years, Judge Lawrie said “This was a persistent course of driving whilst under the influence of a significant amount of drugs.

“It wasn't a momentary blip in terms of judgement.

“He is a man with many plus points in terms of work in the past, his charitable work and helping others with drug problems.

However the judge added “he is a man that would be more aware than most of the dangers of drugs and driving.

“I am astonished he got in to that car after taking drugs.

“You drove on the A46 in a persistent, manic, fast, furious way. This was thoroughly thoughtless and reckless activity.

“Mr Pierce is a tragic victim of your driving. You slammed in to his motorcycle,” the judge said noting “the enormity of the speed, and clear disregard for other road users.

“The consumption of cocaine explains the manner of your driving. You were equipped with the knowledge of what can happen.

“You should have known infinitely better.

“The catastrophic nature of the injuries were caused by your selfish actions.

“His recovery will be slow and gradual, and unlikely to ever be complete.

“There is no means by which I can justify suspending the sentence” the judge concluded.