A BANNED driver who ploughed into a pedestrian with "catastrophic" consequences is facing a "substantial" prison sentence.

Lewis Heslop pleaded guilty to a string of motoring charges arising from the near-fatal collision in Easson Road, Darlington, in June.

His Polish victim, who has not been named by police, is believed to have been returning home from buying a lottery ticket at a nearby corner shop.

She remains in a critical condition in hospital.

The silver Hyundai Coupe Heslop was driving left the road, flipped over, collided with two other vehicles and smashed into the bay window of a house.

The shocking crash was caught on the shop's CCTV.

Teesside Crown Court heard the victim will probably never recover fully from the devastating injuries she suffered.

Heslop, 26, of no fixed abode, made a brief appearance in front of Judge James Brown via a live video-link from Holme House Prison in Stockton.

He admitted charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving with excess alcohol and having no insurance.

His lawyer John Turner suggested a pre-sentence report by a probation officer might be useful, but the judge told him: "I don't think it will frankly."

The judge said: "The defendant must realise he is going to be facing a substantial sentence of imprisonment and I don't think a report will influence it.

"The consequences for the victim in this case, I'm afraid, have been absolutely horrific. I don't think a report will assist the sentencing judge."

Prosecutor Harry Hadfield said victim personal statements from the woman's family and partner need to be written before Heslop is sentenced.

The cost of the damage done to the other cars and the bay window of the house need to be collected, along with details of the victim's ongoing care.

Reports by an accident investigator and a hospital consultant will also be prepared, along with CCTV footage of the carnage and detailed plans of the area.

Mr Hadfield said: "The consequences of this piece of driving have effectively been catastrophic, and Your Honour will see from the preliminary opinion of the surgeon, that the victim is not going to make a recovery to the state she was before this defendant ran her down as she was walking along the pavement."

Heslop will return to court on August 19 for sentence - with the causing serious injury by dangerous driving charge carrying a maximum of five years.

The judge said: "In the particular circumstances of this case, I think it is important that the victim's family have the opportunity to be heard.

"The most be up-to-date information in relegation to the victim's current injuries need or be at hand. It clearly is a sensitive sentencing exercise."

The judge said aggravating features in the case include Heslop driving while he was banned and with excess alcohol - especially as earlier this year he was prosecuted for driving under the influence of drugs.