A WEALTHY businessman faces jail after ploughing his brand new Mercedes through a marquee and injuring 14 guests at a black tie event.

Peter Bialek who was a guest at the event, had been drinking alcohol before he swapped seats with his partner who was struggling to manoeuvre the car.

But in a moment of 'recklessness' the 66 year old managed to crash his car through the marquee while revellers were inside.

As previously reported by Chronicle, a witness said: “There was at least 12 people on the ground being treated. People were screaming and my wife saw one chap go straight over the bonnet of the car.”

Three people were seriously injured in the collision, which happened at around 11pm of October 3 last year at the fundraising event called the Hamper Ball.

Bialek today admitted three counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm, and one charge of wanton and furious driving which caused bodily harm to 18 others.

A judge at Winchester Crown Court, Hants, today told Bialek - a director of a skip hire company - that he could expect a 'substantial sentence of imprisonment'.

He will be sentenced next month.

The private party was a village fundraiser held on Dene Farm in Middle Wallop near Stockbridge, Hants - typically held every other year.

Some 300 guests were in attendance on tables of ten where revellers were invited by the farmer Nigel Pond to bring their own food and drink.

The event raises fund for the village hall of Nether Wallop in Hampshire and local charities.

An eye-witness at the time described the aftermath of the collision as like a 'bomb had gone off', with peopling being treated on the floor for their injuries.

He said: "If you can imagine a bomb going off it was like that, there were tables, chairs, cutlery everywhere.

"There was blood on the floor and people were being covered in blankets."

Another guest added: "There were an awful lot of people who were bumped and bruised.

"It was such a shame because the party was just kicking off."

Bialek, of Salisbury, Wilts, was driving a silver-coloured, 15-plate Mercedes-Benz and was arrested by road traffic police shortly afterwards.

Victims rushed to nearby hospitals while a doctor also assessed people at the scene.

Recorder John Williams today told Bialek: "You know in due course you will receive credit for those pleas entered at this stage.

"I am going to adjourn this case for a pre-sentence report.

"You are 66 and of good character. It is important you have that put before the court with your references and anyone called.

"You understand this is likely to result in a substantial sentence of imprisonment."

Charles Gabb, defending during today's short five minute hearing, said it was 'simple recklessness'.

He said: "It is understood and accepted by the Crown that there never has been a suggestion that he did what he did deliberately.

"It was reckless. Simple recklessness.

"He had drunk alcohol, and Your Honour knows the consequences and background to that.

"He is a 66-year-old man, of good character, with no previous convictions."

Bialek will be sentenced at a later date following a pre-sentence report and character references are made to the court.

He was released on unconditional bail.

In 2011, the skip firm where he is a director was fined £150,000 for breaching health and safety laws after an employee was killed.

Bialek admitted failing to ensure workers' safety at Salisbury Crown Court after Jozef Trhan, from Slovakia, died from head injuries.

Mr Trhan, who turned 33 on the day he died, was fixing a split rim wheel on a loading shovel when it exploded and he was thrown head first into an excavator loading shovel.

In 2002, Bialek was cleared of possessing a weapon with intent as well as two counts of affray after his former partner, a former escort girl, falsely accused him of threatening her with a shotgun.