A MAN who admitted responsibility for a two-car collision while overtaking on a bend was told to prepare for prison.

The warning was given to Adam Mark Heron after he admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, relating to the crash on Pit House Lane, Leamside, near West Rainton, on January 9 last year.

Driving an Audi A3 at between 40 and 50-miles per hour in the hours of darkness, he was said to have pulled out to overtake a Peugeot 407 car in front on a long left-hand bend on the semi-rural road.

Despite attempting to brake on seeing the oncoming vehicle’s headlights approaching, he was unable to pull back in, as the Peugeot inside was also braking.

The 29-year-old female driver of an oncoming car involved in the collision suffered three fractures to her vertebrae, and was said to have suffered on-going problems in her personal and professional life, as a result.

Appearing at Durham Crown Court with the use of crutches, the defendant was also said to have suffered serious injury, while his business has been affected.

Martin Towers, for Heron, told the court: “It’s accepted it was an unsafe manoeuvre.”

But, Mr Towers said the 35-year-old defendant had a previous clean driving licence, with his only ever motoring conviction being for speeding when he was aged just 17.

Judge Christopher Prince said he wanted a full basis of Heron’s account prepared for the sentencing hearing and an update in the personal impact statement of the victim, including a more recent medical prognosis.

Bailing Heron, of Melbeck Court, Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, Judge Prince said: “I remain of the view that he should put his affairs in order.

“I’ll admit him to bail, but he has to know he is liable to receive a custodial sentence.”

An interim driving disqualification was imposed by the judge, the full length of which will be confirmed at the sentencing hearing, on February 23.