A MAN has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a Herefordshire mother by careless driving.

Shaun Casey Jones pleaded guilty to causing the crash on the A49 at Hope under Dinmore on November 14, which killed Gillian Bamber and left her eight-year-old daughter fighting for her life in hospital.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting at Hereford Magistrates Court last Thursday, said that Jones’ standard of driving was careless and the consequences were catastrophic.

“Jones travelling in a VW Transporter has crossed over solid double white lines into an oncoming lane occupied by Ms Bamber’s vehicle,” said Mrs Ashton.

“Significant damage was caused to both of the vehicles. The momentum of the collision saw the engine ripped out of Mrs Bamber’s vehicle.”

The impact caused Mrs Bamber’s car to spin around and come to a stop against a barrier.

Mrs Bamber died at the scene and her two children suffered significant injuries.

Her eight-year-old daughter, who was a rear seat passenger, suffered injuries to her head and abdomen.

She was airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and placed on a life-support machine until December 1, when she was able to breath on her own unaided.

Mrs Bamber’s 14-year-old daughter, the front seat passenger, also suffered serious injuries including a broken sternum, broken collar bone and severe bruising to her abdomen.

“The children are suffering ongoing injuries in physical terms as a result of the accident and one of the children is still unclear whether she will be able to walk again,” added Mrs Ashton.

“She is currently using a wheelchair.”

Jones, 37, of Wellington, near Hereford, walked away from the incident unharmed.

When police attended they found Jones kneeling down on his mobile phone.

He said: "Dad I’ve killed people, I’ve been in an accident. I’m going to jail for a long time.”

Mrs Ashton added: “It transpires the defendant had been ill and treated for a dental problem.

“He clearly shouldn’t have been driving in the condition he was in.”

Magistrates adjourned the case for sentencing next month and ordered for a pre-sentence report to be completed.