A YOUNG musician fears he may never be able to play the drums again after he was knocked down by a dangerous driver.

Now, 15-year-old Jacob Fear and his family have added their backing to The Bolton News Drive for Justice campaign.

Jacob was one of three teenagers who suffered devastating injuries when they were mown down by Christopher Marr.

His mother, Yvonne, said: “His lower right leg had multiple fractures into his ankle, which required a two hour operation to stabilise it with three metal screws.”

The future of Jacob’s mobility is uncertain and it is possible he may require further surgery.

Not only that, but the youngster, who has been playing the drums for four years, may not be able to continue as the injuries to his leg make it impossible for him to play—and doctors are unsure how much mobility he will regain, putting his drumming future in doubt.

“He has been playing drums since he was 11-years-old and this year passed his grade 5 Rock School exam. He is now unable to play,” said Ms Fear, aged 44, from Bromley Cross.

Jacob also suffered a deep gash on his forehead, which needed 11 stitches and will leave him scarred him for life, severe swelling and bruising to his eyes, including a haemorrhage to his left eye and various cuts and bruises.

But the teenager is determined to get on with his life, and is backing the Drive For Justice campaign to help others who suffer as he did.

He said: “It’s an inadequate law and it needs to be changed. I think he should have got a lot longer than he did.” When Marr was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court, Judge Steve Everett handed him the maximum sentence available to him — just 26 months. But the judge is now calling for the law to be changed to enable courts to sentence dangerous drivers who cause serious injury for longer.

He has sent the court transcripts from Marr’s case to Prime Minister David Cameron, Justice Secretary Ken Clarke and the Lord Chief Justice Ms Fear said: “Before this accident Jacob was an active, agile teenager who enjoyed his life, spending time with his friends, playing his drums, taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and generally doing what other young people his age do.”

She said the whole family, including Jacob’s older brother Adam, aged 21, had been devastated by the incident but were humbled by the brave way Jacob was dealing with adversity.

“Jacob is a wilful and determined young man who has dealt with his injuries and the restrictions these have imposed on his life in an extremely courageous and mature manner,” said Ms Fear.

He even returned to Turton School for the new term just weeks after the accident so he would not miss any work in his important GCSE year.

“Every day I thank God my beautiful son is alive,” said Ms Fear who is now looking forward to celebrating Jacob’s 16th birthday with him next month.

Last week The Bolton News launched Drive For Justice, a campaign calling for the maximum sentence for dangerous drivers who seriously injure their victims to be increased.

More than 500 people have already signed our petition calling for the law to be changed.

The family is backing our campaign and has signed the petition, which will be presented to the Government.

Ms Fear said they were angry and frustrated by the sentence, adding: “It does not reflect the gravity of his actions and the devastating effect it has had on Jacob and us as a family.”

Ms Fear, a senior medical secretary at the Royal Bolton Hospital, said she owed a huge debt of thanks to the doctors and nurses in the A and E Department who looked after Jacob, the community nurses and the ongoing care from the Orthopaedic Department.