The face of 'wicked' student who ran over girlfriend in Amersham

Police have released a photo of Lakshmam Samarakoon, aged 20, who was jailed for 11 years and eight months after he “mowed down” his girlfriend Dina Sapra in Amersham on July 12, 2020, leaving her with life-changing injuries.

Sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday, Samarakoon, of Pinner Hill Road in Pinner, had pleaded guilty to GBH, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drink driving.

READ MORE: Jealous student 'mowed down' girlfriend and left her with life-changing injuries

When issuing the sentence, judge Francis Sheridan was scathing of the young offender.

He said: “This was a wicked offence driven by jealousy.

“It just shows everybody you can destroy someone’s life chances even at slow speeds if you deliberately mow them down.”

Lakshmam Samarakoon was caught on CCTV mowing down his girlfriend

Ms Sapra, who was 18 at the time of the incident and is 19 now, suffered several broken bones in her left leg and had to undergo numerous surgeries which lasted for more than six hours, and even a year after the incident she still needs a metal brace around her leg.

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The court heard from prosecutor Claire Robinson how the jealous Samarakoon and his victim were at a party together in Longwood Lane, Amersham, when he snatched her phone and went out to his car.

CCTV footage seen in the court shows how after a short conversation, Samarakoon reversed the car, turned towards Ms Sapra and then accelerated into her as she attempted to run away, mounting the pavement as he did so.

Experts estimate that the Vauxhall Astra was moving at less than 17mph.

The CCTV showed Ms Sapra get knocked to the ground, and Samarakoon then get out of the car to try and help her.

University student Samarakoon called an ambulance and attempted to give first aid to his victim, but the damage had already been done. Ms Sapra has been told that she is unlikely to be able to compete in swimming, netball or tennis again, all sports that she was passionate about before her shocking injury.

Sentencing, Judge Francis said: “This was an offence driven by jealousy on a loving girl.

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“You believed you deserved to have the ultimate say as to what she did with her own life, you had no right.

“After you crashed into her, when sense descended and you tried your best to prevent whatever you could, she didn’t want you to touch her. Who can blame her?

“It’s not a knife, it’s not a gun, but it was just the same damage when you deliberately drive into somebody.

“It just shows everybody you can destroy someone’s life chances even at slow speeds if you deliberately mow them down.”

As well as the jail sentence, Samarakoon has also been banned from driving for eight years, which will start when he is released from prison. He has also been issued with an indefinite restraining order.

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