Driver Admits Guilt in Fatal A19 Collision That Claimed Mother's Life
A motorist has admitted causing the death of a beloved mother in a devastating road collision on the A19 before driving away from the scene. Ryan Scott, 28, entered guilty pleas at Newcastle Crown Court to multiple charges relating to the incident that occurred on December 5 last year.
Tragic Details of the Fatal Collision
The court heard how Scott's Skoda Fabia collided with a Volkswagen T-Roc driven by 39-year-old Claire Laybourne at Holystone in North Tyneside. Following the impact, Scott fled the scene in his vehicle, leaving emergency services to attend to the critically injured victim.
Ms Laybourne was transported to hospital with serious injuries but tragically succumbed to her wounds the following day, despite the best efforts of medical professionals. The collision occurred on the busy A19, a major arterial route connecting North Yorkshire with Tyne and Wear.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Scott pleaded guilty to three specific charges:
- Causing death by dangerous driving
- Causing death by driving while unlicensed and uninsured
- Causing serious injury to another woman by dangerous driving
However, the defendant denied charges relating to causing death while over the limit for drugs. Prosecutors indicated they would not proceed with allegations concerning cocaine impairment, as it could not be definitively established whether Scott consumed the substance before or after the collision due to delays in his arrest following his departure from the scene.
Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
Judge Penny Moreland has remanded Scott in custody ahead of his sentencing hearing scheduled for February 23. The judge directed the preparation of a pre-sentence report to assist the sentencing judge while delivering a stark warning about the likely outcome.
"Please don't be under any illusions about the sentence you will receive," Judge Moreland told the defendant. "The inevitable sentence is a lengthy sentence of immediate custody."
The report will examine any risk factors Scott may present and assist his legal counsel in preparing mitigation arguments ahead of the sentencing hearing.
Family's Heartbreaking Tribute
Claire Laybourne's family released an emotional statement describing their profound loss, paying tribute to a woman they called a "beautiful soul" whose absence has left an irreplaceable void in their lives.
"Claire was a beautiful soul whose kindness, warmth, and gentle strength touched everyone she met," the family statement read. "She was an extraordinary mother, a devoted partner, a cherished daughter, a loving auntie, and a loyal friend."
The family continued: "Her presence lit up every room, and her love held our family together in ways words can never truly capture. Our hearts are broken, and our lives have been changed beyond anything we could have imagined."
They concluded with poignant words that captured the depth of their grief: "The depth of our grief is matched only by the depth of the love we carry for her. We will miss her beyond what words are able to portray."
The case has highlighted the devastating consequences of dangerous driving on UK roads, with the sentencing hearing next month expected to bring some measure of closure to the grieving family while delivering justice for the tragic loss of a much-loved mother and family member.
