An Ipswich motorist has admitted careless driving after knocking down a pedestrian causing him to sustain serious head injuries.

Agostinho Patricio, of Henniker Road, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention when he appeared before the town’s magistrates.

The collision occurred on September 30 last year.

Prosecutor Wayne Ablett said the accident happened shortly after 5pm when two pedestrians were walking along London Road.

The court was told one of the men had said the sun was bright and may have had a bearing on the incident.

The pedestrians had walked half way across the junction with Victoria Street when Patricio’s Vauxhall Zafira approached from London Road.

The car turned into Victoria Street cutting the corner and driving quickly, the court was told.

One of the pedestrians was scooped up on to the bonnet and fell to the ground, striking his head on the road.

Patricio stopped and got out of the car to help.

Mr Ablett said the victim sustained serious head injuries and was still undergoing treatment after Christmas.

He was unable to make a statement as he could not remember anything about the accident.

Magistrates were told when Patricio, a 52-year-old Portuguese national, was interviewed by police he said the sun was very low. He turned right into Victoria Street and then he heard a loud bang.

He did not see the pedestrian due to the positioning of the sun.

The injured man lost consciousness for around five minutes.

The court was told Patricio had not adjusted his driving to take into account the weather conditions.

Mr Ablett said the collision could have been avoided if Patricio had done so.

Patricio had previously had three points put on his licence for a speeding offence when travelling at 38mph in a 30mph limit.

Magistrates fined Patricio £535 and ordered him to pay £85 costs, as well as £20 to the victims’ fund.