The father of a teenager who was severely injured after a drink-driver drove into him in 2013 is still waiting for justice to be done.

Julian Lalor-Smith still thinks the authorities in Turkey, where his 17-year-old son Mark lost one leg after the accident, should impose stricter sentencing for drink-drivers.

The traumatic experience for the Lalor-Smiths has seen Mark, who was 10 at the time, have 20 operations and be left wheelchair-bound. He now has a prosthetic leg worth £16,000, provided by the Department of Health and Social Care, and is learning to drive in a specialised car.

Mr Lalor-Smith said the driver is currently not in jail and had appealed against his two-and-a-half year sentence.

’I have no idea why it’s taking so long,’ he said.

’Initially, we were very upset with what this person did. He was a young lad who hired the car at a bar and decided to go-off for a joy-ride. He’s basically denied everything.

’We knew he had been drinking because it was revealed in the court process in Turkey. We’re waiting to see, one day, maybe, something will change. My view is that it’s not going to change Mark’s life whatever happens to this individual. Clearly, it’s mad to get into a car [after drinking] and drive, even after one drink, it slows-down your reactions.

’It’s daft. In this day and age, there are taxis and other ways of getting home. Simply don’t go out and drink if you need to drive.’

When asked about his reaction to discovering that the driver had been drinking, Mr Lalor-Smith replied: ’If I had been the man who did this, I don’t think I would ever forgive myself. If you’ve got to live with that for the rest of your life, it must be awful.

’I’m not sure it’s awful for this guy - I don’t think he really appreciates what he’s done - but I think most people would, as you can end-up in jail, therefore losing your livelihood, your family and everything through doing it.’

Mr Lalor-Smith said the Manx community rallied together to support Mark and his family through their ordeal after the accident.

’We eventually came back here and Foxdale Primary School raised money for us by holding a car wash and selling flowers. They raised about £2,500, with the pub there fundraising too.

’Our lives were changed completely - we were a very active family, we’d walk up hills and when you’ve got someone in a wheelchair you realise you can’t do all the things you’d usually do. A charity paid for a wheelchair with big, wide wheels but we’d have to think about where we could go. We had a perfect life before all this happened. We’re getting back to a new perfect and we are beginning to enjoy life again.’

Despite the lasting impact on Mark’s life, his father said he is doing well.

’He’s a lovely, happy lad. He’s done well in his GCSEs and now doing A Levels at Castle Rushen.

’He’s learning to drive, but isn’t very keen. He said that he wouldn’t change his life, he’s happy and he loves his life now and it’s extraordinary.’

The police have been reinforcing the message to drivers not to drink and drive over the holiday period, something which Mr Lalor-Smith says is done well by the emergency services.

He said: ’They do all they can do. It’s difficult to put out the same message every year, as people tend not to hear it any more.

’People such as me and my family, who have experience of being impacted by this, might give people a different point of view. Everyone has a personal responsibility and if people can stop anyone who might get into their car who’s been drinking, that will help.

’Just don’t get in that car if you’re drunk. It’s as simple as that.’