Overview

• On June 6, farmer Paul Harris admitted causing serious injury by careless driving and was sentenced to a 12-month driving ban, a £480 fine, £85 in court costs and a £192 victim surcharge.
• The August 2023 crash near Truro saw a Bateman crop sprayer arm swing out and strike David Gotham’s lorry, leaving him with a ruptured liver, lung damage and multiple fractures.
• Gotham, 50, spent nearly three weeks in a medically induced coma and required bespoke antibiotics to overcome a life-threatening lung infection.
• After six months of rehabilitation he relearned basic skills but remains blind in his left eye, has permanent nerve damage in one arm and suffers from PTSD.
• The Royal Mail and police officers, including PC Chris Braddon, have provided ongoing support to Gotham and his family, who view the penalties as insufficient relative to his injuries.