A man has admitted driving dangerously and causing serious injuries to a woman who was pushing a pram.

Dale Clark also admitted failing to stop after he was driving a Toyota RAV4 car which collided with pedestrian Rebecca Sharp.

Mrs Sharp, in her 30s, was taken to hospital with a life-threatening injury following the crash in the Redhill Park area of Bournemouth on Tuesday, April 11.

Clark, of York Avenue, New Milton, entered a not guilty plea to drink driving at the Bournemouth Crown Court hearing on Friday, May 19.

Nick Robinson, representing the 38-year-old defendant, said the pleas were entered on a basis that he was not under the influence of alcohol and cocaine at the time of the allegations, citing “post-incident consumption”.

Prosecutor Andrew Houston said this basis was not accepted by the Crown.

Following discussions involving Mr Robinson, Mr Houston and Judge William Mousley KC, a further crown court hearing was set for Tuesday, June 20.

Judge Mousley told members of Mrs Sharp’s family, who were present at court, that he could not try cases of drink driving or drug driving and it would be wrong for him to proceed to sentence at this stage.

Ahead of next month’s hearing, the judge requested information on when the outstanding allegations could be tried in the magistrates’ court, stating “all expedition” needed to be used to secure a date.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard Mrs Sharp remains in hospital receiving treatment, however, it was early days to understand the full impact of her injuries.

As reported, Mrs Sharp was pushing a pram at the time of the collision. The baby was taken to hospital as a precaution but did not sustain any injuries.