A SPEEDING driver knocked down and badly injured a pedestrian, a court was told yesterday.

Stuart Richardson was lifted on to the bonnet of Azhar Ali's Nissan Primera, breaking the windscreen then carried for a distance before falling on to the road, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Mr Richardson suffered severe fractures in the incident in Hartington Lane, Stockton, and spent three months in hospital.

The court heard Mr Richardson and three friends were crossing the dual carriageway on Saturday September 20, 2002 when Ali's car sped away from traffic lights in the 30mph area.

Ali, 29, drove on after the crash but returned to the scene minutes later and told police that he was the driver involved.

Robin Denny, defending, said that Ali accepted it was a serious misjudgement and that he was going too fast.

He said his client regretted what happened. He had had a shock and when allowed to drive again would moderate his speed.

Ali of Park Road, Stockton, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, was ordered to do the maximum 100 hours community punishment and two years community rehabilitation.

He was disqualified for two years and must pass an extended driving test before applying for a licence.