A Nottingham driver has been sentenced to four years in prison for a series of dangerous driving incidents that culminated in a catastrophic crash, leaving a beloved grandfather-of-four a leg amputee.
A Life Changed Forever in Sherwood Crash
On September 28, 2025, Callum Knott, a 41-year-old father, was driving his van "angrily and selfishly" through Nottingham. His reckless actions sparked a chain of collisions, with the most severe occurring on Valley Road in the Sherwood area.
Knott first crashed into a car carrying a mother and three 12-year-old girls, forcing their vehicle into oncoming traffic. It then collided head-on with a car driven by Stephen Kerry, a 65-year-old man who had been visiting his wife in hospital ahead of her heart surgery.
Severe Injuries and a Harrowing Recovery
The impact of the crash was devastating. Mr Kerry, described as an active grandfather, keen fisherman, and gardener, suffered multiple life-changing injuries including:
- Fractures to his shoulder, thigh bone, and numerous ribs.
- Significant chest injuries requiring emergency surgery.
- He was placed in an induced coma and spent weeks in intensive care.
Tragically, his right leg was so severely damaged it could not be saved. Three weeks after the collision, he underwent an above-the-knee amputation. More than three months later, he remains in hospital, unable to return to the family home he shared with his wife for 36 years.
The mother and daughter in the other car were also seriously injured in the incident.
Family's Heartbreak and the Legal Outcome
At Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the victim's family bravely confronted Knott. Mr Kerry's wife, Karen, read a victim impact statement describing how their lives were changed forever, robbing them of their 40th wedding anniversary celebrations and their social life.
Their son, Jason Kerry, told the court his father was the main carer for his mother and that the incident had severely impacted his own mental health, stating: "I sincerely hope this idiot realises how much he has affected our family."
Knott, of no fixed address, initially denied being the driver but later pleaded guilty to:
- Three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
- Failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
- Failing to report an accident.
The court also heard that earlier on the day of the crash, Knott had slashed the tyres of his ex-partner's car with a knife, charges of criminal damage and possession of a bladed article to which he also admitted. Knott has 17 previous convictions for 39 offences.
After fleeing the scene, he handed himself in to police two days later. He was sentenced to a total of four years in prison.
A Future of Challenge and Adaptation
Rachel Botterill, a partner at JMW Solicitors' catastrophic injury team representing Mr Kerry, outlined the ongoing tragedy. Stephen Kerry cannot return to his home and must move into level-access accommodation suitable for a wheelchair user.
Prior to the crash, he was his wife's primary carer, assisting with personal care, shopping, and cooking. He is now unable to fulfil that role, causing him great anguish. The family also spent Christmas apart while he remained hospitalised.
This case stands as a stark reminder of the permanent, life-altering consequences that can result from a single act of dangerous driving on the roads of the UK.
