A YOUNG driver who crashed into a pedestrian and left him unable to walk has been warned he faces a prison sentence.

Oliver East, 20, appeared at Oxford Crown Court yesterday after admitting dangerous driving.

East was charged after he knocked over Robert Bailey, 60, in St Aldate’s, in Oxford, on February 7. The court heard East was driving between 30mph and 40mph and overtaking when the crash happened.

Brian Payne, prosecuting, told the court Mr Bailey suffered two broken legs, fractures to his back and serious head injuries and was taken to hospital in a serious condition. He said: “This resulted in the fact that he was unable to walk or carry out basic functions.”

Lucy Tapper, defending, told the court East admitted dangerous driving at Oxford Magistrates’ Court earlier this year.

East, of Bell Lane, Wheatley, is also charged with causing grievous bodily harm and indicated a not guilty plea.

Miss Tapper asked Judge Mary Jane Mowat for an indication of the likely sentence for dangerous driving offence.

Judge Mowat said: “I am taking into account the evidence of fairly prolonged aggressive driving through an urban area, it was in dark and icy conditions, driving too fast for these conditions and overtaking.

“The driving was quite reckless at the time of the incident. Clearly the aggrieved suffered serious injuries. The mitigating factor is his early plea of guilty.

“The maximum sentence would be 12 months’ custody and four years’ disqualification from driving.”

Mr Payne told the court that in light of the likely sentence the Crown Prosecution Service would drop the charge of causing grievous bodily harm.

Judge Mowat disqualified East from driving and released him on bail to return to Oxford Crown Court for sentencing in September.

Mr Bailey, who did not attend the hearing, was injured after he was hit by East’s silver Peugeot 306 on February 7 outside Christ Church.

Just 12 days later pensioner Fred Carter, 75, of Vicarage Road, in Oxford, died less than 100 metres away at the junction of Speedwell Street and St Aldate’s after falling through roadworks.

He was hit by at least two buses and his family blamed the roadworks for his death, claiming safety measures were inadequate to prevent someone falling into the road.

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk