BOTLON boxer Amir Khan was driving dangerously when he sped through red lights and knocked over a pedestrian, a court has heard.
The 20-year-old, who has denied a charge of dangerous driving, hit pedestrian Geoffrey Hatton in the Bradshawgate area of Bolton on 2 March last year after driving through a red light, Bolton Crown Court heard.
Mt Hatton had been walking to a pub following the end of his work shift when he was struck by Khan. He broke his leg in the crash after the collision with Khan’s BMW convertible.
Mr Alaric Bassano, prosecuting, told the court, Khan was well in excess of the speed limit when he approached the junction with Great Moor Street during rush hour traffic.
He said Khan moved into a right-turn only lane and sped on through the red light.
Mr Bassano said: “As he did so some pedestrians were on the pelican crossing.
“One of the pedestrians, the last one to cross, was Geoffrey Hatton.
“He was in the carriageway as the defendant was driving through the junction. He evidently panicked and he turned back towards the pavement.
“He moved into the defendant’s line of traffic and the defendant’s vehicle hit him.”
Mr Bassano said Khan was guilty of dangerous driving regardless of whether or not there had been a collision.
“It was the cumulative effect of three factors taken together which rendered the defendant’s driving dangerous.
“Speed, overtaking in the wrong lane and driving through a red light,” he said.
He added that Khan’s vehicle, which he said was capable of rapid acceleration, reached a top speed of 47mph during the incident which was captured on CCTV and shown to the jury.
Mr Hutton told the court he screamed ‘I’ve lost my leg’ when he was hit by Khan.
The boxer remained at the scene of the crash and was arrested and interviewed by police three months later when he made no comment.
The trial continues.
