A van stuffed with cannabis slammed into an innocent bystander who was watching the scene unfold in front of him.

Police had started tailing Kladji Kavaja, 28, and his 27-year-old passenger Francisko Dudija after reports they were loading cannabis into a Ford Transit van in Dover Avenue, Banbury, on April 20.

The van failed to stop and, during the ensuing chase, the Transit turned the corner into South Street and struck a member of the public who was sitting on a bench.

READ MORE: Jail for man who sent explicit messages to 'girl'

The victim, who was still in hospital when a statement was taken from him in early May, is understood to have inadvertently filmed the moment he was struck by the Transit. He had been videoing a police helicopter hovering above the chase.

Having struck the bystander, the driver of the van stayed at the scene. His passenger, Dudija, was caught after a short police chase.

Officers found 69 cannabis plants in the back of the van.

Appearing before Oxford Crown Court on Friday afternoon, Kavaja, of Grimsby Square, Banbury, and Dudija, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to possession of a cannabis with intent to supply it to another.

Kavaja had pleaded guilty at the magistrates’ court last month to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Judge Nigel Daly adjourned sentence for four weeks to allow the probation service to compile a pre-sentence report.

The men were remanded in custody and will be sentenced on June 24.

Read more from this author

This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward