A MAN has appeared in court charged with causing serious injuries to a mum-to-be who was run over outside her shop in Leigh.

Vinisha Ajan Raj, who is aged in her 30s, was badly hurt outside the Turnpike off-licence in London Road at just after 5pm on Monday.

Southend Magistrates’ Court heard that despite being six months pregnant, Ms Raj had left the shop after she suspected a fraud may have been committed.

She was pulled underneath the vehicle before it drove away. During the incident her leg, torso and head were crushed.

Rico Dupres, 25, of Anderson Close, Enfield, is accused of being the driver of the vehicle, a Volkswagen Golf.

He has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, fraud, dangerous driving and failing to stop.

He was arrested at his home address in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The car was found in Hadleigh Road, Leigh.

Police are still looking for two other men in connection with the incident.

They are wanted on suspicion of fraud, relating to a bank card they had allegedly tried to use in the shop.

The Metropolitan Police is leading the search.

Lesley Chipps, prosecuting, said the prosecution had CCTV.

She said: “The footage shows the incident unfolding. The officer in the case told me it is very traumatic for anybody watching.”

She added: “This is a lady who is six months pregnant and the Crown would say visibly pregnant.”

The court was told Ms Raj was left with a torn liver, a broken leg, a fractured cheek, a fractured eye socket and a fractured shoulder blade.

She is being treated in the Royal London Hospital and police have said her baby is unharmed.

It is believed Ms Raj is originally from Sri Lanka and now lives in the Benfleet area with her husband and two-year-old son.

Essex Police later confirmed Ms Raj is now stable and her injuries are no longer considered "life-threatening".

Unemployed Dupres was not given an opportunity to enter a plea because the serious nature of the charges mean they must be heard at a crown court.

Dupres, a father-of-two, has been remanded in custody to appear at Basildon Crown Court on Saturday, April 22.

The court heard that if others are charged the cases are likely to be joined together.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 - or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.