A PENSIONER was warned he could face a prison sentence after being found guilty of causing the deaths of two people by dangerous driving.

William Green, 67, of Pemberton Crescent, Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty at Teesside Crown Court to two charges of causing the deaths by dangerous driving of Peter Cowey, 48, of Liverton, east Cleveland, and Tony Hagley, 36, of Newbottle, Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland.

The jury heard how, on June 25, 2001, while driving from Scarborough, Green's Ford Mondeo crossed the central line on the A171 into the path of a Land Rover Discovery driven by Mr Cowey.

The Land Rover overturned and collided with a Mercedes van travelling behind the Mondeo.

The prosecution said Green's attention had been diverted, causing him to veer.

But Ian Skelt, defending, told the court that Green, who has a clean licence, had suffered three bouts of unconsciousness since having a heart attack in 1995.

Giving evidence, Green said there was a "blank in my memory", and the next thing he knew he was sitting in his motionless car in the road.

The jury unanimously found Green guilty of both charges.

Judge George Moorhouse warned Green not to take any false hope from the fact he was granted bail while pre-sentence reports were prepared.