A MOTORIST was yesterday warned to expect “a substantial period of imprisonment” after admitting responsibility for a road death.

Former Royal Marine David William Tootill, 29, died in hospital after being airlifted from the scene of the accident, on the C23 Harap Road, between Coxhoe and Trimdon, County Durham, on November 11 last year.

It followed the collision in which a Ford Mondeo car, driven by Russell Kenneth Hynes, struck Mr Tootill’s Ford Escort van on the country road, at about 7am.

Mr Hynes, of Wynyard Street, Gateshead, suffered whiplash to his back in the collision but was able to call emergency services on his mobile phone.

The 27-year-old civil engineer was subsequently charged with causing Mr Tootill’s death by dangerous driving.

He admitted the charge during a short hearing at Durham Crown Court, yesterday.

His barrister, Peter Horgan, said the guilty plea to the death by “dangerous” driving allegation followed consideration of it possibly being a case of causing death by “careless” driving, a slightly less serious charge.

But, after his client’s guilty plea to the more serious offence, Mr Horgan asked if sentence could be adjourned until background reports on Hynes have been prepared by the Probation Service.

Agreeing to his request, Judge Christopher Prince told Hynes: “It appears this is an extremely serious offence to which you have pleaded guilty.

“You will have been advised that a substantial period of imprisonment will be imposed and that’s proper advice, as you will receive such a sentence.”

Judge Prince bailed Hynes to return to court for sentence in four weeks, and also imposed an interim driving disqualification on him.

In a statement issued following the court hearing, Mr Tootill’s parents, Catherine and Norman, from Trimdon Village, County Durham, said: “We are pleased to hear that Hynes has pleaded guilty.

“This has been an emotional time for the family.

“Whilst we are satisfied with the verdict, it will never bring back our loving son, David, who touched so many lives.

“The sentence will hopefully give us some closure, and allow us to begin to move forward.”