A Bristol roofer was left for dead after he was catapulted into the air by speeding joyriders, who smashed their stolen car into him.

Matthew Chamberlain, of Speedwell, was left in a coma and fighting for his life just three days after his 21st birthday.

Billy Madden and his 16-year-old accomplice, who cannot be named for legal reasons, flung him 5ft into the air as he crossed the road, while driving at speeds of up to 60mph.

A nurse rushed to his aid. He was sprawled face down, barely breathing and bleeding from his ears and mouth, Bristol Crown Court was told.

Unconscious, he was taken to hospital in a coma and as medical staff battled to save him he was found to have a fractured skull and two shattered thigh bones.

He remained in intensive care for a fortnight and miraculously pulled through – but will never walk properly again.

Speaking to the Evening Post, Mr Chamberlain, of Meadow Vale, who is still recovering from his ordeal and now relies on a crutch to get around, said: "What happened was completely life-changing.

"To say it was really bad, doesn't even begin to describe it. It ruined my life. I will have metal bars in my legs for ever."

Madden, 18, and the 16-year-old youth – who was driving – torched the Peugeot 107 they had earlier stolen from outside a house in Clifton in a bid to cover their tracks.

They also went to a barber to get their heads shaved in a further effort to disguise their identities.

The day after burgling a flat in Eaton Crescent, Clifton, in April, and stealing the Peugeot, the pair drove off without paying for £30 of petrol at the Tesco Express Soundwell service station.

Half an hour later they pulled alongside a Citroen van in Southey Street, St Werburgh's, smashing its window and throwing inside a makeshift petrol bomb, which ignited and destroyed the vehicle.

When van owner Adrian Fussell ran after them remonstrating, the pair attempted to mow him down – but only managed to clip his leg.

The car was then spotted in King Street, Easton, where it mounted the pavement and collided with two parked cars.

Just 10 minutes later Mr Chamberlain was crossing over Whitehall Road, in Whitehall. It was there that the pair overtook a white van and smacked into the 21-year-old.

Having recently got engaged to his girlfriend Katie, 19, Mr Chamberlain said: "It was just three days after my 21st birthday.

"I'd finished work for the day and the person I work with dropped me off in Whitehall Road.

" I crossed over the road to go to the bookies – that's all I can remember.

"My legs are really bad and I don't think I'll be back at work until at least February."

He refused to comment on the pair responsible.

His firm, FRC Roofing, have promised to keep his job open.

Madden, 18, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to making off without payment, aggravated vehicle taking and two counts of arson.

Police officials refused to release his photograph.

The 16-year-old, who has mental health issues, admitted attempted burglary, making off without payment, driving while disqualified, aggravated vehicle taking and two arsons.

Judge Carol Hagen sentenced Madden to two-and-a-half years in youth detention.

She sent his 16-year-old accomplice down for three years. Both were banned from driving for a year.

She told the pair: "You both have the most appalling records for such young persons, in particular driving and motor vehicle-related."

She said it was a wonder Mr Chamberlain had survived and the pair were lucky not to be facing manslaughter charges.

William Hunter, prosecuting, told the court that after hitting Mr Chamberlain the teenagers torched the Peugeot and, with burnt faces and smelling of smoke, calmly had their hair shaved off at a barber shop in Speedwell.

Jason Taylor, defending Madden, said he'd pleaded guilty early and was remorseful and eager to seek education.

Fiona Elder, defending the youth, said her client suffered from mental health issues but was on medication and had attained a qualification in motor mechanics.

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