A MOTORIST who knocked down and killed a young woman after repeatedly ignoring medical advice not to drive has been warned he faces a “substantial” period in jail.

Train driver Darran Sims, 35, blacked out at the wheel of his yellow MG Rover and crashed into a metal post.

The post fell and hit 20-year-old Sheri Lawrence, as she stood on a traffic island at the junction of Elm Road and Rectory Grove, Leigh. She died shortly afterwards from serious head injuries.

At Basildon Crown Court Sims, a c2c train driver, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving on April 18 last year.

The jury was told several doctors had warned him not to drive cars or trains while he was under medical investigation for seizures, memory loss and tongue biting episodes he had suffered since 2005.

Sims, of Ronald Hill Grove, Leigh, was formally acquitted by the judge of one count of fraud by failing to inform his employer that he had epilepsy.

This was because Sims had not been officially diagnosed with epilepsy until after the accident.

He has not driven a car or train since.

He was remanded in custody and will return to the court for sentencing on Monday, November 24.