AN EAST Dorset man is set to face a trial following a horrific head-on smash in Corfe Mullen.

Stephen Anning was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving on April 23 this year, when he was involved in a two-car collision on Blandford Road.

The crash left 55-year-old Adele Ruffell, who was driving a blue Vauxhall Corsa, in a fight for life.

She was on her way to work at the Windgreen Esso Garage in Wareham Road when the crash took place.

Police and firefighters removed the door of the car to release her, and she was taken to Poole General Hospital in a critical condition before being transferred to Southampton General Hospital.

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance landed in a field at Lockyer’s Middle School to take Ms Ruffell to hospital, where she remained in a critical but stable condition for around a month.

On May 13, police said she was no longer in a life-threatening condition.

Anning, who will turn 46 on December 30, was driving a blue MG ZT, which had its roof removed following the crash.

He was also taken to Poole General Hospital with a head injury.

The defendant, who lives in Wayman Road, Corfe Mullen, pleaded not guilty to the single charge at Bournemouth Crown Court last Friday.

Judge Peter Johnson has set a trial for March 3 next year at the court.

Frank Abbott, defending, said the case is expected to take around four days.

Anning was released on unconditional bail.