Classical singer's career is left in ruins after she was injured in road rage crash when 'aggressive' racing driver forced her to veer off carriageway into railings

A racing driver ran a classical singer off the road in a horror crash that has left her career in ruins.

Alan Thompson, 32, flew into a rage on the way home from a track and pulled in front of Billie Allin.

Soprano Ms Allin, 21, was carefully driving her Vauxhall Corsa when she was 'cut up' by Thompson and sent ploughing into railings.

A court heard she was left with a permanent metal plate in her arm, a 10cm scar and had to pull out of a BBC Proms show.

Ms Allin, who studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music in Cardiff, was also left being unable to perform as well as she did before the crash.

She later applied for a postgraduate course at the top music university but said her bid was declined due to her lack of confidence.

Alan Thompson, 32, flew into a rage on the way home from a track and pulled in front of Billie Allin

Soprano Ms Allin, 21, was carefully driving her Vauxhall Corsa when she was 'cut up' by Thompson and sent ploughing into railings

Prosecutor John Philpotts told Swansea Crown Court: 'It had affected her sleep and she had nightmares that left her tired in the day, and she avoids socialising and travelling long distances on her own.

'She was training to be a classical singer that required singing in different languages and she found following the collision that was much more difficult.

'She wasn't able to perform as well as previously, she missed a lot of classes, her confidence was damaged by the collision which clearly affected her professionally.'

Mr Philpotts added: 'She isn't the same person she was before.'

The horrific crash took place on the A494 dual carriageway near Queensferry in North Wales in July 2019.

Thompson had been driving a Mercedes Sprinter van towing his BMW racing car from the Trac Mon Anglesey Circuit after an event.

He was headed home to Oxfordshire in July 2019 when he tried to overtake another driver.

But he misjudged the slow speed Ms Allin was driving in her Corsa in the nearside lane.

Thompson came up behind her at speed before he swerved and then pulled in front of her.

The court heard 'aggressive' Thompson and his passenger made 'rude gestures' at Ms Allin before she veered off the road.

Thompson was found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after a trial.

In a victim impact statement, Ms Allin said she lost a job with an events company, split from her partner and could not perform at a BBC concert.

In a victim impact statement, Ms Allin said she lost a job with an events company, split from her partner and could not perform at a BBC concert

Sentencing at Mold Crown Court, Judge Rhys Rowlands told Thompson: 'You lost your temper.

'You drove aggressively, sounding your horn continuously as you pulled into the offside lane to overtake.

'Both you and your passenger were making rude gestures at the victim. You started to pull back in front of her, effectively ''cutting her up'' - an aggressive and unnecessary piece of driving.'

He added: 'In my judgment, you are wholly to blame for the accident and its subsequent consequences, with there being absolutely no fault at all on the part of Miss Allin.'

The judge told Thompson he acted aggressively 'with more than a hint of arrogance'. Thompson, of Wantage, Oxfordshire, was handed a six-month sentence suspended for two years.

He was disqualified from driving for two years, fined £5,000 and must pay £2,800 towards prosecution costs.

After the hearing investigating Officer PC Emma Birrell said: 'Due to his own aggressive driving, he became aggrieved by the female driver of the Corsa. He shouted expletives and made rude gestures towards her.

'He then cut in front of the Corsa to frighten her, however, he failed to account for the large trailer that he was towing at the time which collided with the Corsa ramming her off the road.

'Thompson had no consideration for others as he drove dangerously that evening which unfortunately resulted in a woman being seriously injured, of which she is still undergoing treatment to this day.

'It is only by sheer luck that this wasn't a fatal road traffic collision.

'It is shameful that a small number of motorists still feel they can behave in a totally reckless manner when they take to the roads.

'People who drive in this manner are taking their lives and the lives of others into their own hands.'