A STUDENT has appeared in court charged with driving offences following a crash which left two female runners with serious injuries.

Mohamed Qasim, aged 22, of Castle Street, The Haulgh, appeared before Bolton Magistrates during a short hearing.

In court the six offences Qasim was charged with were read out, which include causing serious injury by dangerous driving, disqualified driving, driving without insurance, handling of a stolen vehicle, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of an offensive weapon.

No pleas were made and the case was adjourned until next month.

Qasim, who wore glasses and a grey jumper in the dock, was denied bail by magistrates and was remanded into custody.

His defence team sought to apply for bail to be granted, but magistrates denied the request, and fixed the next hearing in the case for April 6 at Bolton Crown Court.

Defending, Leigh Morgan told the court Qasim is a student at the University of Central Lancashire, and that it is currently a “very important year for him”.

She said: “He was very concerned and very upset. The injuries could have been terrible for all parties and Mr Qasim was very concerned about that.”