A 17 year-old moped rider was left lying in the road badly injured after being struck by a driver using his mobile phone at the wheel, a court heard.

Adam Burroughs, 43, failed to notice the victim riding a Honda moped on the A47, at Trowse, as he was more interested in using his phone, Norwich Crown Court heard.

The case prompted Norfolk police to again highlight the message that using a mobile phone whilst driving is not acceptable.

Peter Gair, prosecuting, said a motorist overtaking Burroughs moments before the crash had spotted him on his phone: 'It was quite apparent this defendant simply was not paying attention. He was more interested in his mobile phone.'

He said after the crash, which left the victim with multiple fractures, Burroughs had briefly got out of his Audi A3 car and acted in a way which suggested he knew he had been using his mobile.

Mr Gair said the victim was taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with multiple fractures and bruising including pelvic fractures and broken teeth, and is still undergoing treatment for his injuries.

He said Burroughs tried to hide the fact he was using his phone, but records later revealed he had been using his phone at the time of the crash, although police were unable to say who he had been calling.

Mr Gair said at the time of the accident, Burroughs was on bail for a drug driving offence, and also had a previous conviction for driving with excess alcohol. He was also on early release from a 68 month sentence for drug trafficking.

Burroughs of The Loke, Norwich, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving on March 4, this year, and was jailed for 21 months and given a 34 month driving ban.

Sentencing him, Judge Katharine Moore said Burroughs was seen at the wheel 'fully engaged' with his mobile,

'It just shows how important it is to be vigilant when driving.'

She said it was 'extremely serious inattention.'

Judge Moore added that it was 'good fortune' the victim survived the crash.

Matthew McNiff, for Burroughs, said he was insured and was not under the influence of drugs or drink.

'He does not for a moment say he was not driving dangerously. He was distracted.'

He said Burroughs wanted to apologise for what he had done.

'He has accepted responsibility, He apologises for what has occurred.'

Norfolk police said the sentencing of Adam Burroughs supports the message to drivers that using a mobile phone behind the wheel is not acceptable.

Chief Insp Kris Barnard of Norfolk police said: 'You might not think a momentary glance at a text message is harming anyone but think of what's going on around you. Hazards on the road, especially when you are driving at speed can change so quickly and in that moment if you're not concentrating 100 per cent you could easily cause a crash, injure of kill someone else. Is that text message, notification or selfie really worth it?'

A survey carried out by our paper also found that despite warnings, motorists are still using their mobiles while driving.

Within five minutes two drivers were seen on Queen's Road, in Norwich, using their phones while driving and in total four drivers were spotted during the time we kept observation.