A car involved in a fatal collision with a pensioner as he waited at a bus stop was in such dangerous condition that one policeman said it would be "remarkably silly if anyone drove it", a court heard yesterday.

Christopher Eade, denies causing the death by dangerous driving of 73-year-old James Mulligan on May 1, 2002.

The 20-year-old, of Felling, Gateshead, was driving fast and in a dangerous manner in a car bought for £50 just 24 hours earlier, Leeds Crown Court was told.

The jury heard that Mr Mulligan was hit by the silver H-registered Ford Sierra car as he sat on a litter bin waiting for a bus on Albion Street, Gateshead.

Pc Jeffrey Gallon, of Northumbria Police's Collision Investigation Unit, said that the car's steering wheel was physically buckled, felt notchy and did not turn smoothly.

He said there were at least two loose components within the steering casing, which could have jammed and locked the wheel at any moment. ''It would be remarkably silly if anyone drove the vehicle in that condition," he added.

The jury heard the damage to the steering could have been caused whilst being stolen, but there was no suggestion the defendant was involved in any way.

Pc John Middleton, who examined the scene said: ''In my opinion, it's as though the driver was trying to regain control of the vehicle. He added that it was difficult to say what speed the car was travelling at, but that the ''absolute minimum'' was 30mph but this did not account for the speed prior to the wheels locking up.

He said the actual speed was probably much higher, as the car would have lost speed due to its impact with the kerb, the litter bin and the pedestrians. Nor, most significantly, did it account for the impact with the concrete post.

Mr Mulligan died as he arrived at hospital from heart failure which was caused by his injuries, the court heard.

A second pedestrian, Ivy Clark, 85, suffered extensive bruising to her head and other parts of her body, but survived. The trial continues.