A MAN has appeared before a judge charged with a catalogue of motoring offences following a crash in Darlington on Monday which has left a woman fighting for her life in hospital.

Lewis John Heslop is accused of five charges in relation to an incident on Easson Road, in Darlington, where a woman was hit by a car as she made her way home from a corner shop on Monday (June 13).

Appearing from custody at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, the 25-year-old spoke only to confirm his name and age and entered no pleas to the five counts.

The charges are aggravated vehicle taking and property damage, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving while over the legal alcohol limit and using a car with no insurance.

The woman, a pedestrian who was caught up in the incident, suffered a serious head injury in the crash and was placed in an induced coma by Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) medics.

She remains at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough in a critical condition.

Judge Martin Walker committed the case to Teesside Crown Court where the defendant is due to appear either in person or via video link on July 13.

Mr Heslop, of no fixed abode, was remanded in custody. No bail application was made.