A TRIAL of issue will take place next month to decide on what basis a man, who has admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, should be sentenced.

Mohammed Patel, 24, of Essingdon Street, Bolton, was driving a BMW along Wigan Road, Bolton, on May 20 last year when he hit a man crossing the road to go to the Tesco store.

Patel has denied he was travelling at between 84mph and 88mph before the collision.

Nicholas Flanagan, prosecuting, said: “It is the Crown’s view that the defendant’s speed was consistently over 80mph.

“The defence suggested that the speed was not in excess of 45mph but this is an underestimate and inaccurate.”

Judge Graeme Smith said: “Two prosecution witnesses have referred to the defendant accelerating before there was a loud screech of brakes and this appears to be inconsistent with the suggestion that there had been braking in advance of the accident.”

The victim, in his 40s, suffered from multiple injuries, including broken ribs and limbs and remained in hospital for five weeks.

Patel was bailed to return to Bolton Crown Court for a Newton hearing on Tuesday, July 21.