A MAN who was the victim of one of the country’s most serious miscarriages of justice has admitted drink-driving after he crashed his car into a double decker bus.

Sean Hodgson, 60, of Raby Moor, Cockfield, Bishop Auckland, appeared in court yesterday, where he admitted two counts of drink-driving and two of driving with no insurance.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates heard that Hodgson was seen driving away from the Rose and Crown pub, in Witton Park, Bishop Auckland, on July 3, in a 2007 Nissan Navarra.

Hari Jandoo, prosecuting, said Hodgson failed to stop at a give way sign and went into the side of a bus travelling from Bitchburn, County Durham. Mr Jandoo said there were several passengers on board the bus, which sustained damage to a side panel.

On August 14, Hodgson was seen driving in Willington, County Durham, where he again lost control of his car, a 1997 Vauxhall Monterey, which ended up in a ditch.

Mr Jandoo said witnesses who described Hodgson as white-haired and wearing a suit and flat cap saw him “flooring” the accelerator of the 4x4 to try and get back on the road.

He said: “The Crown would say that members of the public have been put at risk in light of the defendant’s behaviour.”

Hodgson also admitted two charges of driving with no insurance, relating to the drinkdriving matters, but charges of driving without a licence were withdrawn.

In 1982, Hodgson was convicted of the murder of Southampton barmaid Teresa de Simone and spent 27 years in jail before new DNA evidence proved his innocence.

He changed his plea on the August drinking-driving matter moments before he was due to stand trial, but the July offences were admitted at an earlier hearing.

Marie Barker, mitigating, said: “As far as Mr Hodgson is concerned it is fair to say he has suffered immensely as a result of failings with the justice system and he does have issues because of that which do have to be explored by a pre-sentence report.”

The case was adjourned, until December 30, for the preparation of the report and Hodgson was given unconditional bail.