A DRIVER who lost control of his car hitting two female runners in Moss Bank Way has been told he faces jail.

Mohammed Qasim is accused of being behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta that struck Jessica Sammon and Laura Hodgson while they were out jogging with a group on the evening of March 7.

The friends were injured in the crash, which left the vehicle on its roof.

Qasim, a 22-year-old student of Castle Street, The Haulgh, appeared via video link at Bolton Crown Court yesterday.

He faces charges of causing injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, possession of class A drug diamorphine, possession of an offensive weapon — an extendable baton — and receiving stolen goods, namely the £10,000 Ford Fiesta.

Colin Buckle, defending, told the court: "There will be guilty pleas but to what, we don't know.

"On Mr Qasim's behalf, there will not be a trial or there is highly unlikely to be a trial of any type."

The court heard that before Qasim formally enters his pleas, more information is needed about the injuries sustained by Miss Sammon and Miss Hodgson, about the result of tests on the drugs, about the standard of driving and about the defendant's mobile phone records.

Judge Graeme Smith said: "On the basis of what has been said and my knowledge of the case, a custodial sentence is inevitable."

The case was adjourned until May 17 for a plea hearing.

Qasim will be sentenced the same day if he admits the charges.