A motorcyclist has been jailed after his pillion passenger suffered a fractured skull when she was thrown from the bike following a crash.

Lee Aldous, 24, of Packham Road, Gravesend, was riding a black KTM off-road motorcycle with his 33-year-old female friend when he lost control along Crooked Lane in Gravesend.

On Friday, Aldous was jailed for 28 months after he admitted five offences including causing serious injury by dangerous driving and being unfit to drive through drink.

He was also punished for driving without valid insurance, a licence and a test certificate.

In September, the pair were thrown from bike, landing three metres away after Aldous struck the kerb on the approach to a right-hand bend.

The woman spent more than two weeks after she was found with blood pouring from her head. She suffered a fractured skull and vertebrae as a result.

Aldous sustained minor injuries and asked police if he could go home. He was arrested after failing a roadside breath test.

Detective Constable David Holmes said: "Aldous’ actions were dangerous and it is fortunate that no one was killed.

"He was riding a motorcycle in the middle of the night without any lights and after we examined the bike, we found it had a number of defects.

"Although the passenger agreed to get on the back of the bike, it was not designed to carry a passenger and Aldous should not have offered a lift.

"His passenger suffered serious injuries that will no doubt affect her in some way in the future.

"This incident shows the serious consequences of using vehicles that are not safe for the road and driving under the influence of alcohol, and I hope this sentence sends a strong warning to others."

Aldous was also given a four year ban from driving and will have to pass an extended test to get his licence back.