SENTENCING has been delayed for a man who crashed a stolen car from a flyover, landing onto the A1(M) below, seriously injuring a passenger.

Hugh Raymond Holmes was told to expect, “a significant custodial sentence”, after admitting charges relating to the incident, which left his passenger fearing she may lose her life and which brought traffic on the A1(M) to a standstill for much of the day, on Friday January 21.

The warning was given to Holmes after he admitted charges of aggravated vehicle taking, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to provide a breath specimen and driving without insurance, at a hearing at Durham Crown Court last month.

Read more: Banned Spennymoor driver facing 'significant' jail sentence over A1(M) accident

Sentence was due to take place at the court today (Thursday March 24), but with all parties present, including the defendant by video link from nearby Durham Prison, the hearing was told medical evidence relating to the injured passenger had only been received minutes before the case came into court.

Paul Rooney, for the defendant, said he would prefer to discuss the contents of the medical evidence with his client prior to the sentencing hearing.

Robin Patton, for the Crown, said a further charge of driving while disqualified needed to be put to the defendant whenever the sentencing hearing was staged.

Judge Robert Spragg said more time would need to be set aside for the sentencing hearing than was available today.

He adjourned to an agreed date of Thursday, April 21, when the additional charge will also be put to Holmes.

The 32-year-old defendant, of Tudhoe Moor, Spennymoor, was remanded to remain in custody in the meantime.

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