A MAN has admitted knocking down and killing a pedestrian crossing a road late at night.

Married father-of-two sons David Moore died at the scene of the hit-and-run, in Wood Lane, Ferryhill, County Durham, at 11pm on Sunday, March 27.

The 54-year-old manager with Newton Aycliffe engineering company EOS had been walking home after a night at the nearby White Horse pub.

Barry Paul Gray, 26, who was driving the Audi A3 involved, yesterday admitted causing the death of Mr Moore by careless driving, and to perverting justice.

He falsely told police that night that his house had been burgled, and that his car had been stolen after the keys were taken.

Gray was also said to have changed and hidden his clothing worn that night.

His barrister, Scott Smith, requested preparation of psychiatric and probation reports before sentencing.

Asked by Judge Guy Whitburn why he wanted a psychiatric report, Mr Smith said his client had suffered post-traumatic stress since the incident.

Judge Whitburn, however, refused to sanction spending public money on a psychiatric report and said it would be up to the defence to apply to the Legal Services Commission for funding.

Judge Whitburn said: “It was a horrifying thing to happen, but it was much more horrifying for the unfortunate man who was killed.

“Why does he need someone to tell me what I already know? Do you know how much it costs to instruct a psychiatrist?”

Adjourning sentencing, Judge Whitburn told Gray: “You have had the good sense to plead guilty to this extremely serious matter.

“You realise it is punishable by a prison sentence of up to five years and an amount of imprisonment can be relied on.”

Gray, of Grey Terrace, Ferryhill, was bailed to return for sentencing on December 12.