Northern Ireland

Woman admits causing death by careless driving arising from three vehicle RTC

A Belfast woman today admitted causing death by careless driving arising from a three vehicle road traffic collision.

Although Michelle Crooks did not appear at Newtownards Magistrates Court, defence counsel Conan Rea entered a guilty plea to the single charge against her on behalf of the 52-year-old.

Crooks, from Southland Dale in the east of the city, admitted causing the death of Yvonne Jess by driving carelessly on October 14 last year.

Mrs Jess died as a result of the injuries she sustained in the three vehicle collision on the Holywood Road in Newtownards.

District Judge Mark Hamill queried why a case involving a fatality was being dealt with in his court where the maximum sentence is six months as opposed to the more powerful Crown Court where the maximum sentence is a two year jail sentence.

Mr Rea said there was agreement between Mrs Jess’s relatives, the police and the Public Prosecution Service for the case to remain in the petty sessions.

“Effectively everyone is agreed that it can proceed in the Magistrates on the basis that it is accepted,” said the lawyer who added that he had not asked Crooks to attend court as “I thought you would want a pre-sentence report before sentencing.”

In addition to the pre-sentence report Mr Hamill said the prosecution may want to lodge a victim impact statement ahead of the plea and sentence which he listed for March 3.