A HIT-AND-RUN driver who evaded police capture for more than two years has been jailed.

Rohan Crooks, 34, ploughed into Orville ‘Dean’ Francis in Cuddesdon Way, Blackbird Leys, dragging the pedestrian under his Lexus leaving him with life-threatening injuries.

The incident happened in October 2008 and Crooks, of Sturge Avenue, Walthamstow, went on the run and was branded “Oxford's most wanted” by police before he handed himself in this February.

Following a week-long trial that concluded on Friday, he was acquitted of attempted murder but found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He also admitted dangerous driving.

Mr Justice Andrew Nicol jailed him yesterday afternoon for nine and a half years and banned him for driving for 10 years.

He described Mr Francis’ injuries, which have left him unable to stand up for long periods of time, as “dreadful”, adding: “He was placed in intensive care, his injuries were life-threatening.”

Mr Justice Nicol said Crooks’ account that he left his car in Greater Leys and had nothing to do with it being found burnt out days later as “fanciful”.

He said: “I reject [your account]. You were trying to conceal any trace of a link to that car.”

The judge said he did not accept Crooks’ remorse was genuine and labelled the offence “a grotesque misuse of a car”.

The Jamaican-born ex-taxi driver, who came to Britain 13 years ago, will be considered for deportation.