A DRIVER has been told he faces jail following a car crash which left a woman critically injured.

At Bolton Crown Court Lewis Rigby, aged 22, of Bell Lane, Bury, appeared via a video link from Forrest Bank prison and pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Clare King suffered serious head injuries and was in a critical condition following the crash at Bolton Road West , Holcombe Brook, on May 31.

The 36-year-old victim was driving a Ford Fiesta when it was struck by a Honda Civic driven by Rigby.

The Civic is alleged to have been stolen from Tottington and was spotted by police on Walmersley Road, Bury.

They followed it through Ramsbottom town centre as it headed towards Holcombe Brook, where it subsequently collided with Mrs King’s car near the junction with Longsight Road.

Bolton Road West was closed for eight hours whilst the emergency services were at the scene and the wreckage of the Fiesta, Civic and a Citroen, which was also damaged, were removed.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is conducting an investigation into the incident.

Rigby was also charged with aggravated vehicle taking, but pleaded not guilty to the offence and the Crown Prosecution Service have decided not to pursue the matter to trial.

Rigby’s sentencing was adjourned until July 27 to allow a pre-sentence report about him to be compiled and Judge Timothy Stead stressed that it was essential the court also has a statement from the victim and an up to date medical report.

David Clarke, prosecuting, said Mrs King suffered serious injuries.

“Such was the pressure on her brain as a result of the impact, the top of her skull had to be cut off,” he said, adding that his latest information about her condition is that she is still finding communication difficult.

Remanding Rigby in custody until his sentencing, Judge Stead told him: “I cannot say to you that you should expect a non-custodial disposal in this case – in fact the opposite is true.”