Specialist Lawyers At Irwin Mitchell Instructed To Help Support Family Of Barrister Seriously Hurt In Collision

A motorist has admitted causing a crash in which the father of Union J star George Shelley suffered a serious brain injury. 

Dominic Shelley has now spoken for the first time about his battle to overcome the injuries he suffered during the collision which happened months before his daughter was killed in a crash. 

The self-employed barrister was travelling to work in Nottingham when he was knocked off his motorbike by Noel Hurst.

Dominic, 48, suffered a catalogue of injuries including a serious head injury, a broken neck, spinal fractures, a fractured shoulder blade and collar bone as well as a broken wrist, arm and ankle in the collision. 

He underwent surgery to rebuild his crushed spinal column and reconstruct his vertebrae. Dominic’s left arm and shoulder is still paralysed.

He has not returned to work since.

Following the crash, Dominic, of Nottingham, instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to secure help with his recovery and rehabilitation. 

David Withers, specialist serious injury solicitor at Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office, representing Dominic, said: 

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“Every day remains a struggle for Dominic as he continues to try to overcome the terrible injuries that he suffered during the collision. This has been made even harder by the fact that he has had to move out of the family home and further compounded by the tragic death of his youngest daughter, Harriet.

“While Dominic has made some progress, he faces a long journey to maximise his recovery. We are pleased that the driver responsible for the crash has admitted his guilt, preventing Dominic from having to go through the trauma of reliving the collision in court. We were concerned that it took many months for the defendant to accept his guilt and this has obviously slowed down the progress that Dominic could have made with his rehabilitation. The delay has also put additional pressure on Dominic and his family.

“This case sadly highlights the need for motorists to pay attention on the roads and in particular to be aware of motorcyclists.

“Irwin Mitchell will continue to support Dominic during his recovery.” David Withers - Partner, ATE Product Manager and BTE Relationship Partner

Dominic, who has seven children and who has raised two stepdaughters, was travelling on the A606 Nottingham Road near the junction with Clawson Lane on 5 July, 2015, when a BMW 3 Series being driven by Hurst turned across his path, throwing him from his bike.

Dominic lived with wife Rowena and their five children, aged between 17 and one before the collision.  His other children include X-Factor star George. Dominic’s 21-year-old daughter, Harriet, a newly qualified midwife, tragically died in May last year after she suffered head injuries in an unrelated crash in Bristol. 

Following the collision, the barrister has suffered constant physical pain and blurred vision. His brain injury means he suffers from memory loss, a short temper and mood swings. He also has trouble speaking and looking after his children. 

Hurst, 25, of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday. He was handed an interim driving ban and bailed to appear back at the court on 18 December for sentencing. 

Dominic said: “The events of 5 July, 2015, have changed my life forever. I was just riding to work when my world was turned upside down.  

“I was really struggling to return to some sense of normality after the incident when I received the devastating news that Harriet had been killed in another accident. Harriet was a beautiful, funny and intelligent woman who had her whole life ahead of her.  

“Every day is a real battle but I have to remain strong and focus upon my recovery for the rest of my family. 

“The experiences our family have been through in the last couple of years really highlight the tragic consequences that can result from not paying attention on the roads. 

“I would urge all drivers to take care on the roads so nobody else has to experience the utter devastation and hurt our family has gone through.” 

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