A CARELESS driver left a man with a broken neck and hip from his bad driving in a busy city centre street.

Antones Siluvairajah went the wrong way in Trafalgar Street in North Laine, Brighton.

He was driving in an Audi when he missed the turn for Tidy Street, and tried to reverse up the street.

But he failed to spot Ian Cannings who was walking across the road, and knocked him to the ground.

Mr Cannings suffered a broken pelvis and also needed surgery to his right thigh bone as well.

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court, Siluvairajah admitted driving without due care and attention.

Martina Sherlock, prosecuting, said the incident happened at 5.40pm on January 30 this year.

The Argus: Brighton Magistrates' CourtBrighton Magistrates' Court

She said the careless driver had checked his mirrors to spot other vehicles but had not checked for pedestrians in the street.

Trafalgar Street has no entry signs for traffic at either end, requiring motorists to turn off into nearby streets.

Siluvairajah, who had formerly been working at the nearby Iceland store in London Road, apologised for his bad driving and accepted responsibility, the court heard.

Mr Cannings said he suffered multiple injuries in the crash that left him needing treatment at the Royal Sussex County Hospital then surgery at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

He said he has been unable to work as an upholsterer since the crash, and still suffers flashbacks of being run over. It has left him feeling “stressed and panicky” when he is near roads.

The Argus: Trafalgar Street in North Laine, Brighton, near the junction with Tidy StreetTrafalgar Street in North Laine, Brighton, near the junction with Tidy Street

After the incident in January, The Argus can also reveal that Siluvairajah has since been banned from getting behind the wheel after he admitted drink-driving.

The 53-year-old, of Barry Walk, Brighton, was in the same Audi on May 2 this year on the A27 at Lancing while over the limit.

He tested positive for 44 micrograms (mcg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

For that offence he was banned for one year, and ordered to pay a £250 fine, £34 surcharge and £85 costs.

In court this month, District Judge Tessa Szagun sentenced him for driving without due care and attention.

Five further points were added to his licence, and Siluvairajah was told to pay a further £166 fine, £34 surcharge and £85 costs.