A hit-and-run driver who crashed into an elderly man then fled the scene has been jailed for eight months. 

Ali Shams, 45, of Shoot Up Hill, Cricklewood, was driving a Toyota in Aylesbury when he hit a man in his 70s who was getting out of another vehicle. 

The pensioner was rushed to hospital with life-changing injuries.

Shams drove away from the scene but was later arrested in London.

The victim has since been discharged from hospital.

The incident took place on February 15 last year and Shams was charged five months later. 

He pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving, driving without a licence, failing to stop after a road accident and driving without insurance. 

But he failed to appear in court for sentencing on September 11 last year.

Shams was arrested a month later and was remanded in custody before sentencing. 

Last Wednesday (February 28, 2024) Shams was sentenced to eight months in prison and disqualified from driving for a year and nine months at Aylesbury Crown Court. 

Investigating officer PC Julia Stroud, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “We are very grateful for the assistance of witnesses from the local community following this awful hit and run collision.

“Officers worked across the Thames Valley and London to trace and locate the offending vehicle quickly once it was identified.

"Having located the vehicle near an address in London, Ali Shams was arrested. Working with colleagues from the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit, we were able to link the vehicle to the collision scene

"Shams admitted his involvement and was given eight months in custody and a lengthy disqualification from driving. 

“The victim has recently been released from hospital and is making a steady recovery from the incident. He has suffered life-changing injuries and was left seriously injured in the road as the offender callously drove off.”