A MOTORIST who caused an horrific head-on crash has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

Dean Shadforth admitted the charge when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court yesterday.

The charge relates to an accident on Brenda Road, Hartlepool, on January 25, last year.

A 46-year-old woman was badly hurt when her Vauxhall Corsa was hit by a Rover vehicle driven by Shadforth.

The mother-of-three had to be airlifted to hospital after suffering serious injuries to her legs, face and head.

Firefighters and paramedics spent 40 minutes cutting her from the vehicle near Golden Flatts Primary School.

Police officers also had to warn off "ghoulish" spectators and passers-by who tried to take photographs of the rescue.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said at the time: "Members of the public were given strict words of advice by the police after trying to take photos of the crash site on their mobile phones.

"The behaviour of some people at this incident can only be described as ghoulish by police officers."

The case was adjourned yesterday so a pre-sentence report can be prepared by probation officials.

Shadforth, 21, of Hutton Avenue, Hartlepool, was given bail until his next appearance.