A motorist has admitted responsibility for the death of a passenger in a multiple collision while driving through a stretch of roadworks.

Susan Jennifer Mitchell was told to expect an “inevitable” term of custody when she returns to court to be sentenced, in October.

It follows the 33-year-old’s guilty pleas at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday (August 18) to charges of causing the death of Phillip Gillespie by dangerous driving and causing serious injury of another man, also by dangerous driving, in the multiple collision on December 3, 2021.

The Northern Echo: Deceased Phillip Gillespie, who was a passenger in Ford Focus driven by Susan MitchellDeceased Phillip Gillespie, who was a passenger in Ford Focus driven by Susan Mitchell (Image: Family handout issued by Northumbria Police)

Police, at the time, described how a grey Ford Focus, driven by the defendant, collided with a Skoda Octavia, which was stationary on the same side of the A193 Cowpen Road, near Cowpen Cemetery, in Blyth, before going on to impact with two other stationary vehicles.

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Mr Gillespie, 28, was a passenger in the Focus and was admitted to hospital with life-threatening injuries, from which he was declared dead three days later.

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Following her admissions to both counts at the plea hearing in the case, Mitchell’s counsel, Richard Herrmann, told the court: “She is fully aware of the inevitable sentence in this case, but could we have a pre-sentence (probation) report?"

The Northern Echo: Fatal accident driver Susan Mitchell told to expect 'inevitable' prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court, in OctoberFatal accident driver Susan Mitchell told to expect 'inevitable' prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court, in October (Image: Northumbria Police)

Judge Paul Sloan, The Recorder of Newcastle, agreed and said he would also like to have victim impact statements submitted to the court prior to the sentencing hearing.

The judge told Mitchell: “I’m adjourning sentence in you case until October 10.

“That’s the next date you must attend at court.”

He said the fact he was adjourning sentence and requesting preparation of a pre-sentence report should be seen as no indication as to the likely outcome in the case.

“An immediate custodial sentence is inevitable in the circumstances of this case.”

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He told Mitchell, of Carlton Grove, North Seaton, Ashington, she must assist with the preparation of the report to be drawn up by the Probation Service.

Judge Sloan also imposed an interim driving disqualification and warned her not to get behind the wheel of any vehicle prior to the sentencing hearing, on October 10.

He will decide on the suitable length of any ban from the road at that hearing.