A MOTORIST responsible for an accident in which an elderly passenger in another car was injured is facing his first prison sentence.

The warning was given to Luke Michael Todd after he admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving during a short hearing at Durham Crown Court.

It relates to a collision in which the Subaru car he was driving struck a Citroen on the A688 in New Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, on October 3 last year.

A rear seat passenger in the Citroen suffered a fractured sternum and other people in the car were also injured.

The defendant, 23, of Dene Park, Ferryhill, will be sentenced after preparation of a background probation report, but , bailing him, Judge Christopher Prince told Todd to expect to receive a prison sentence when he returns to court, on May 25.