A DRUNK driver who left a man fighting for his life in hospital after crushing him against a brick wall is today facing a jail sentence.Craig Potter, of Westholme Road, Ipswich, admitted he had driven dangerously and had been over the limit when he hit Andrew Scarlett in Key Street, Ipswich, just after 7am on November 22.

A DRUNK driver who left a man fighting for his life in hospital after crushing him against a brick wall is today facing a jail sentence.

Craig Potter, of Westholme Road, Ipswich, admitted he had driven dangerously and had been over the limit when he hit Andrew Scarlett in Key Street, Ipswich, just after 7am on November 22.

Mr Scarlett suffered extremely serious injuries as a result and is now facing a long battle before he is able to walk again.

Lesla Small, prosecuting, told South East Suffolk magistrates' court that Mr Scarlett had to be cut from Potter's Hyundai Lantra car by firefighters after the accident.

She said: “The car that Mr Potter had been driving had gone onto the curb and pushed Mr Scarlett against the wall.

“Mr Scarlett had been walking along the road with a work colleague of his. He doesn't remember anything about the incident and the next thing he remembers is being in hospital.

“He will need to learn to walk again and he said he'd been left in a lot of pain and he would also be needing a wheelchair.

“The accident also caused bleeding in his brain which affected his hearing and sight and he has undergone lots of surgery and is due to have more plastic surgery.”

She said that Mr Scarlett's work colleague had described to police how he had seen Potter drive towards them, mounting the footpath, but keeping in a straight line.

The colleague said he had move right onto the road to avoid the car while Mr Scarlett had moved left towards the wall.

Potter, 45, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drink driving and the court heard how he had finished a night shift at Felixstowe docks before drinking at least two cans of lager before driving home.

When he was breathalysed by police following the crash he was found to have 40mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

His solicitor, Neil Saunders, said: “He's a man of good character and if he could put the clock back he would. He's been shattered by this.

“Mr Potter is going to have the emotional scars.”

Potter will now be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court once a pre sentence report has been prepared, but he was warned that he may face a custodial sentence.

Weblink: www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk