A WEST Cumbrian man is facing a jail term after he admitted causing a pensioner’s death by driving carelessly while over the drink drive limit.
Motorcyclist Raymond Hammil, 75, died in hospital three days after a collision on the B5300 close to Maryport Golf Club on September 11, 2022.
During a brief hearing at Carlisle Crown Court, Frizington man Stuart Lithgow, 43, pleaded guilty to causing Mr Hammil’s death by careless driving while he was over the drink drive limit.
The prosecution accepted his not guilty plea to causing Mr Hammil’s death by dangerous driving. At the time, the court heard, Lithgow, of Priory Close, Frizington, was driving a Ford Fiesta.
A breath test after the accident confirmed that at the time of the tragedy, the defendant had more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system.
The court also heard that there was evidence that he was driving “aggressively” before the accident that led to Mr Hammil’s death.
Read more: Family pay tribute to Raymond Hammil who died in Maryport crash
Judge Nicholas Barker told the defendant that he will be sentenced on October 24 after a background report is prepared by the Probation Service.
He told Lithgow: “You have pleaded guilty to this charge, causing the death of Mr Hammil by careless driving while over the prescribed limit…The only outcome on October 24 will be a sentence of custody.
“You know that, so you should between now and then attend to your affairs.” The defendant was granted bail until the day of sentence.
After the tragedy, Mr Hammil’s family released a glowing tribute, describing him as being part of the fabric of Maryport and Solway Sea Cadet Corps.
His sons, Ross and Luke, said: “Dad's passing leaves a massive hole not just in our lives, but those of so many others given he was such a well-loved, selfless and caring man.
"He loved being on the sea and sharing this passion through teaching and support of the cadets. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.”
They also thanked Good Samaritans at Maryport Golf Course, medics from the Great North Air Ambulance Service and also staff from the Freeman Hospital and Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for their support and “relentless drive to save him” after the collision.
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