Daniel Porter has admitted killing a 76-year-old woman and seriously injuring two others while driving under the influence of drugs on the A69 near Hexham in Northumberland.
Porter, 36, appeared before Newcastle Crown Court on Monday via a video link to Durham prison. He pleaded guilty to causing the death of Doreen Flatman by dangerous driving on September 26, and to causing serious injury to two others by dangerous driving on the same day.
Guilty pleas to drug and driving offences
Porter, of Angate Street, Wolsingham, County Durham, also admitted possessing the class A drug methamphetamine on September 26 and driving a Honda vehicle while unfit to do so through drugs.
He denied two counts of breaching an interim sexual risk order. Police previously said those charges related to a separate matter.
Court hearing and sentencing warning
Judge Tim Gittins set a further case management hearing for December 22. The judge told Porter, who was wearing a green sweatshirt, that he is likely to face a custodial sentence of some length. He said: "Obviously as you've pleaded guilty to the serious driving offences and the drugs offence in respect of them you will receive significant credit in due course."
Collision details and tributes
Northumbria Police previously said a black Honda ENY1 car travelling westbound collided with a blue Volkswagen Tiguan travelling eastbound on the A69 shortly before 1.30pm on September 26. Emergency services attended, but Doreen was pronounced dead at the scene.
Doreen, from Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, was the rear-seat passenger of the Volkswagen. The driver and front-seat passenger also suffered serious injuries.
Her family previously described her as "a much-loved mam and the loveliest friend and woman anyone could ever hope to meet". They said: "She was truly the life and soul of every room she walked into, bringing warmth, laughter, and an unmistakable brightness to all our lives."
Her kindness knew no bounds; she was the kind of person who would do anything for you without a second thought, always putting others first and giving her heart so generously. Her untimely passing is a tragic loss that leaves a deep and painful void.
"Words cannot fully express how sadly missed she will always be, but the boundless love she gave and the beautiful memories she left behind will stay with us forever."
