A VAN driver has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a nurse from Budleigh Salterton in a head-on crash in a country lane.
John Lawler, aged 69, of Middlewick Barton, Nomansland, Tiverton, admitted a single charge of causing death by careless driving when he appeared at Exeter Crown Court.
He pleaded guilty to causing the death of Samantha Horne in an accident on the B3137 at Witheridge on July 9, 2021 when his VW Transporter was in collision with her motorbike.
Judge David Evans adjourned sentence until January 12, 2023 and ordered a probation report.
He released Lawler on bail but told him: “There are no promises about sentence. Custody is very much in the offing, so you should put your affairs in order.”
He said the adjournment will enable Lawler’s legal team to gather testimonial statements and references and for Ms Horne’s family and friends to attend the sentencing hearing.
Ms Horne was a nurse working at Budleigh Salterton who was also a keen athlete and member of the Budleigh Runners, who held an event in her memory last month.
Fellow runner Debbie Newson paid tribute to her.
She said: “Sam was a nurse at the surgery and a part of our running club, and a very key member in our community.
“She was inspirational, full of zeal and passion for her community and her job, and we wanted to remember her in a way that seemed right.
“Many of our runners are running today because she encouraged them to start running and join the club.
“We invited everyone in Budleigh and we did a 5km run and a 3km walk.
“We also raised money for the air ambulance and for Sam’s children, and the air ambulance did a fly past in honour of Sam!
“It was a truly wonderful event, where the people of Budleigh Salterton came together in unity to support each other and Sam’s family, who also came to the event.”
People can still donate to the fundraising page that was set up to help Sam’s children by using this link: https://gofund.me/cf0018eb .
Crown Court Reporter