A FORMER X-Factor contestant has appeared at crown court accused of knocking down a pedestrian after stealing her friend’s car.
Paige Flaherty, who appeared on the show last year as a member of girl group Twisted, is said to have taken a pink mini belonging to bandmate Katie Orrock from outside a house in Jarrow last August.
The 18-year-old, of Fife Avenue, Jarrow, is said to have driven to Newcastle, where she collided with a pedestrian at Westmoreland Road, leaving him bruised.
Flaherty appeared at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday accused of aggravated vehicle taking, but she was not asked to enter a plea during the short hearing.
Her barrister, Jane Foley, applied for the case to be adjourned so the defence team can have more time to consider it.
Judge David Wood adjourned the case until December 18.
The judge told Flaherty: “You have not so far had an opportunity to discuss this with your legal advisors and it would be a very good idea if you did.”
Flaherty was granted bail.
Twisted hit the headlines after the X Factor judge Kelly Rowland urged fellow band member Chrissie Pitt, from South Shields, to ditch her colleagues in order to continue in the contest.
Miss Pitt chose to go solo, putting the other three, including Cheryl Moody, Flaherty and Miss Orrock, out.