A woman has admitted causing the death of a North East couple by dangerous driving, in a three-vehicle collision on the A66 in Cumbria, last year.

Appearing at Carlisle Crown Court today (Tuesday October 24), 55-year-old Ellen Leslie, from South London, admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and she will now be sentenced early in the New Year.

The victims were a couple from Sunderland, Steven, 60, and 61-year-old Christine Goodings.

Mr Goodings was driving a Volkswagen Golf, with his wife in the front passenger seat, when it was caught up in the collision near to the village of Warcop, west of Brough, on the A66, shortly before 12.15pm on Monday May 23, 2022.

Read more: North East man dies weeks after A66 crash killed his wife

Cumbria Police said, at the time, that the collision also involved a lorry and a Volkswagen T-Cross vehicle.

Mrs Goodings was pronounced dead at the scene, while her husband was left in a critical condition and died in hospital weeks later, on June 16.

The couple were said to have two adult sons.

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Police said three other people were injured in the collision, including the defendant, who spent time in hospital, herself.

Following an appearance via video link at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court, last month, Leslie appeared in person at the city’s crown court today, where she pleaded guilty to both counts relating to the death of Mr and Mrs Goodings.

Judge Michael Fanning adjourned passing sentence to allow the Probation Service to prepare a background report on the defendant.

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He also asked for a victim impact statement from the Goodings’ family, to be read to the court prior to sentence.

Judge Fanning adjourned for a sentencing hearing at the court on Thursday January 11.

He granted unconditional bail to the defendant, who was made subject of a driving disqualification, the length of which will be set at the sentencing hearing.