A DRIVER who was showing off when he crashed his car - leaving a teenage friend paraplegic - has failed to get a cut in his 12-month sentence.

Jonathan Michael Bentley, 19, of Trafalgar Street, Heeley, Batley, was sentenced to the detention term at Sheffield Crown Court in April after pleading guilty to dangerous driving.

Now London's Criminal Appeal Court has refused to cut his term, rejecting claims it was too long.

"We think the sentence here was severe, but having reflected on all the circumstances, we are not of the view the sentence can be described as manifestly excessive," said Mr Justice Nelson, sitting with Mr Justice Bell.

The judge said the dangerous driving was not momentary, and catastrophic injuries had been sustained by Carl Forde, then 18.

Bentley passed his advanced driving test in March last year.

At about 10.30pm on June 13 he picked up three friends, including Mr Forde, from a pub. Bentley, who had not been drinking, drove them around for some time and later offered two girls a lift. With the five passengers, he drove around West Yorkshire.

At about 4.30am, one girl was dropped off but no-one got into the seat which became available - the four remaining passengers staying in the back of the hatchback.

The passengers described Bentley as driving very quickly and showing off.

One said he swerved in the road from time to time.

Bentley failed to negotiate a bend near Hoyland. The car rolled, struck a stone wall and tree, and came to rest on its side.

The judge said expert evidence showed he must have been driving at about 50mph, whereas 39mph was regarded to be the speed at which a motorist could safely negotiate the bend.

As a result of the crash, Mr Forde suffered spinal injuries leaving him paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair.

His family had to move to accommodation more suitable for someone with his injuries.

In arguing 12 months was too long, Bentley's barrister, Desmond Rosario, referred to his exemplary good character, his youth, his guilty plea and great remorse.

Rather than 12 months, he argued the offence merited a "short, sharp sentence".