A father who crashed his car and caused serious injury to his son has spoken out about the toddler's extraordinary recovery.

Kris and Becky Keeves were told two-year-old William would never walk, talk or see again following the smash in Paddock Wood last year.

Mr Keeves was driving on Badsell Road in June when his vehicle collided with a Mercedes-Benz travelling in the opposite direction.

After being questioned by police, the 31-year-old was charged with dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and having no insurance.

He admitted all three offences, however, was handed a suspended jail sentence at Maidstone Crown Court last week.

Judge Martin Joy heard prognosis for William, then aged 22 months, was "grim" but improved significantly through therapy and the support of his family.

He said the child's parents were an "integral part of his rehabilitation" and a prison sentence would inhibit further progress.

Reliving moments after the collision, Mr Keeves said: "I was so disorientated but I heard William let out a squawk, it was a noise I'd never heard and I knew something was really wrong.

"I grabbed him from the car and held him in my arms. Everything happened so quickly. I wasn't drunk I honestly didn't think I'd be anywhere near the limit but I was over and I can't argue that. I know it's my fault and I have to accept it."

The couple were travelling from Paddock Wood to their home in Tonbridge after visiting a friend whose husband had just died of cancer.

Mrs Keeves, who suffered multiple injuries in the accident, added: "If I thought for one minute Kris was drunk, I wouldn't have got in the car with William, we would've got a train.

"Kris is an amazing dad and William loves him so much, he cries when Kris has to leave for work.

"William wouldn't be where he is today without him. We've worked so hard to help him recover and as a family we're stronger than ever.

"We're not bad people. When people hear the words drink driving they automatically judge, Kris was a third over the limit, he'd barely had anything, he wasn't drunk but over the limit is over the limit. It was a terrible accident and if we could go back and change everything we would."

William spent nearly eight months in hospitals including King's College in London.

The toddler regained sight week by week. He is now fully mobile and communicates well through speech and sign language.

Mrs Keeves said: "On his second birthday in hospital he was given a present by the nurses but he just felt out in front of him because he couldn't see it. It broke Kris and I.

"Doctors said he wouldn’t be able to do anything. I told them I know my son, he will do everything again. He's a little soldier."

"We thank our lucky stars our son is still with us" - Kristoffer Keeves

Danni Nicholls, Mrs Keeves' daughter from a previous relationship, said: "I don't want everyone to see Kris negatively, he's an incredible dad and I couldn't have gone through half of what I have without him by my side."

The family praised Ronald McDonald Charity Home near Kings College Hospital where the they were accommodated for several months.

William begins nursery next week and has been removed from all but one medication.

Mr Keeves, 31, said: "We thank our lucky stars our son is still with us. He is an amazing boy who recovers more every day. When you look at him he is like any other child his age. We couldn't have asked for much more.

"I walked into the court room expecting the worst but hoping for the best. I am fully aware it could have gone the other way. I will never touch a drop of alcohol before driving again. This made me realise even more so how precious my children are. We know how much we could have lost. It's terrifying."

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