A MAN has appeared in court accused of driving dangerously in a sports car that crashed into an estate agents.

Emmanuel Mikhail was charged with driving the Maserati that caused a serious injury to Didem Bulut in Brighton.

Ms Bulut, then aged 25, had been outside the Fox and Son’s letting agency in Western Road in March last year, and was reportedly left trapped against the front door.

A second woman aged 34 from Hove was also hit in the crash and suffered minor injuries.

Police, paramedics, and firefighters were all called to the scene opposite Norfolk Square. Both women were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

It left passers-by shocked when they saw the incident.

One witness said: “I saw people being treated in ambulances and one person was said to be trapped between the car and the shop door.”

A recovery lorry was brought in to remove the vehicle and police carried out forensic tests.

Police arrested Mikhail, of Laburnum Avenue in Hove, and charged him with causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

There was no suggestion that the car was stolen.

The 31-year-old appeared at Lewes Crown Court where he went into the dock for his plea during a six-minute hearing.

He spoke to confirm his name, and listened as the charge was read out.

The court clerk asked him for his plea, and he replied: “Not guilty.”

In the dock he wore a white shirt and grey tie, with a grey overcoat and dark trousers.

He was represented by barrister William England, who said there would be 20 witnesses called in the trial.

Read more: Maserati hits two people and crashes into Fox and Sons

Meanwhile, Rachel Beckett, prosecuting, said the trial is expected to last for ten days, and asked for it to be scheduled in October.

Judge Paul Tain granted Mr Mikhail bail.