Man, 91, admits killing woman with careless driving

A 91-year-old man has admitted causing death by careless driving after a pedestrian was fatally struck when his car mounted a pavement.

The victim, Joyce Hickson, 89, died after being hit in Malvern, Worcestershire, on 8 August 2023.

Appearing at Worcester Crown Court, Peter Burrow pleaded guilty to causing serious injury and causing death by careless driving, but denied that his driving was dangerous.

He was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial on the more serious charge in June next year.

Mr Burrow, who was driving a Fiat 500 at the time of the crash, also pleaded not guilty to causing serious injury to a second pedestrian by dangerous driving.

Police had previously said a vehicle crashed into six pedestrians on the pavement on Church Street shortly after midday.

Ms Hickson was taken to hospital but died from her injuries, while two other people were admitted to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Judge James Burbidge KC was told the Crown did not accept the guilty pleas to the alternative charges because of the speed at which it was alleged Burrow had driven on the pavement.

Granting bail and imposing an interim driving ban, the judge told Burrow, of Meadow Walk in Colwall, Herefordshire: "Mr Burrow, I am stopping you from driving now.

"I don't think you wanted to anyway but you must not as a matter of law."

A pre-trial review is scheduled to take place on 5 June 2025, ahead of a trial on 23 June.

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