A dangerous driver who purposefully ploughed down a pedestrian has been jailed. Steven Flanagan filmed himself on Snapchat behind the wheel of his Audi S3 at people in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, in the early hours of August 5, 2021. The 33-year-old had been drinking at a pub before getting into a fight and although intoxicated, decided to get behind the wheel and drive at a group of people in the street outside. He left one man with life-changing injuries and narrowly missed another. Flanagan was arrested and charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving. He made a no comment interview despite smiling as the interviewing officer played his Snapchat video to him. He pleaded not guilty to the offences but was found guilty by a jury at Durham Crown Court on Thursday, January 9, following a trial. The court heard how the victim had been left with significant injuries to his foot and legs and still requires treatment. The man said he also gets flashbacks and has nightmares about the incident, meaning he does not go out and has been unable to go back to work. He said he did not think he would ever recover from his ordeal. Flanagan, of Houghton-le-Spring, was sentenced to nine years in prison and also disqualified from driving for 11 years. The detective who led the investigation said: “Flanagan mounted the pavement on multiple occasions and was clearly out to hurt people that evening. “He showed a total lack of regard for anyone’s safety and his victim, who had gone to enjoy a few pints with a friend, ended up with horrific life-changing injuries. “This investigation has been lengthy and complex and I hope this outcome can help the victim on the road to his recovery.”