A reformed prisoner turned community leader is back in jail after nearly killing two people in a drink-driving accident.

Annys Darkwa, 53, from The Avenue in Surbiton, was nearly twice over the drink-drive limit and speeding at up to 40mph in a 30mph zone when she crashed her Peugeot 207 into a man and a woman at a pelican crossing on January 18 this year.

Both victims were left with life-threatening and life-changing injuries.

The man suffered arm and leg fractures and the woman internal and leg injuries, as Darkwa drove into them at the East Hill junction of Alma Road in Wandsworth.

Annys was jailed for nearly four years at Kingston Crown Court last week, after admitting two counts of causing injury by dangerous driving and another count of driving under the influence.

She was was also banned from driving for 10 years.

Chief Inspector John Oldham, from the Metropolitan Police's roads and transport policing command, said: "This was a totally selfish, reckless and irresponsible act that has left two members of the public with life-changing injuries.

"I believe the sentence reflects the severity of this offence."

Steve Burton, Transport for London's director of enforcement, said: "We are pleased to see this dangerous driver jailed and removed from our roads."

Darkwa is a reformed drug addict and founder of Vision Housing, based in Wandsworth, which helps re-home ex-offenders on their release from prison.

She conceived of the idea while in prison herself, for attempting to smuggle a drug shipment through an airport.

The social enterprise, which was originally based at St Helier, launched in 2007 and has helped more than 500 ex-offenders.

Darkwa's community work has seen her made a fellow of Ashoka, a global network of social entrepreneurs, while she won the Redemption and Justice Awards for Innovation last year.

Her profile on Vision Housing states: "People feel exposed on their release from prison. They are susceptible and at risk of being drawn back into their old ways of life.

"For many, it’s the only way of living they know.

"I know from personal experience that those first few hours are vital in reducing the risk of re-offending because you can soon become exposed to your old contacts and then you find yourself back in the offending trap."

Vision Housing had not yet responded to a request for comment.