A DRIVER who seriously injured a pedestrian has been told he faces a lengthy jail sentence after previously killing someone in a car.

Mohammed Bhatti appeared via a video link at Bolton Crown Court and pleaded guilty to seriously injuring John MCafferty, aged 53, by driving an Audi RS5 dangerously on Bradford Street, The Haulgh on November 27 last year.

He also admitted failing to stop after an accident and had previously pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.

Judge Richard Gioserano warned Bhatti, aged 32, of St Helens Road, Bolton, that he will be given a lengthy prison sentence following the conclusion of the trial of two other people who were alleged to have been involved in the incident.

Nicholas Montgomery, aged 27, of Bury Road, Bolton, and previously of Musgrave Road, Bolton, denies causing Mr McCafferty serious injury by dangerous driving in an Audi S3 and Kate Smith, aged 29, of Bowstone Rise, Darcy Lever, has pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice.

Their trial at is due to start at Bolton Crown Court on May 22.

Speaking about Bhatti, Judge Gioserano said: “A long sentence of imprisonment is inevitable because of his previous conviction for causing death by dangerous driving.”

In June, 2006 Bhatti was jailed for six years after he killed his friend in a high speed crash while drink driving.

Bhatti had been driving at speeds of up to 100mph before he lost control of a Vauxhall Vectra and ploughed into railings.

His friend, Firoz Patel, was a passenger in the car and was killed instantly, leaving behind a wife and young daughter.

At the time Bhatti was one and a half times over the drink driving limit and initially lied to police, claiming that his friend had been driving.

It was only after a second post mortem examination was carried out, delaying Mr Patel’s funeral, that the truth emerged.

The Vectra, which belonged to Mr Patel, was seen driving along Chorley New Road at Horwich at up to 100mph, with one witness stating all four wheels had left the ground as it passed over a hump back bridge before it swerved violently and crashed into railings, coming to rest against a wall.