A COUNCIL worker who struck and killed a pedestrian while reversing a bin collection lorry was yesterday told to expect a prison sentence.

The warning was given to Gavin Simon Martin Spoors at Durham Crown Court after he admitted a charge of causing death by careless driving.

It follows an accident during a town centre bin collection round in Chester-le- Street, on Wednesday, May 19, last year.

Spoors was at the wheel of a Durham County Council Ford Transit flatbed van, which was reversing while collecting rubbish bins in Front Street.

It collided with care worker Allison Rodger, who died from the injuries received on impact.

The 44-year-old charity volunteer lived with her sister, Susan Wilson, in Swale Crescent, on the Rivers Estate, in Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street.

She had been out for lunch with one of her sisters before shopping at a nearby store prior to the collision.

Known locally as “Little Al”, because of her 4ft 10in stature, she worked at St Mary’s Nursing Home, Chester-le-Street.

Several months after the incident, Spoors was charged with causing her death by careless/inconsiderate driving.

He pleaded guilty during a short crown court hearing yesterday.

His barrister, David Comb, asked for sentence to be adjourned to allow for preparation of background reports on Spoors by the Probation Service.

Judge Christopher Prince agreed to bail the 24-year-old council worker in the intervening period before sentence. But he warned him to, “go away and prepare yourself for custody”.

He also imposed an instant driving disqualification, the length of which will be determined when sentence is passed.

Spoors, of Cathedral View, Newbottle, near Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, will return to the court for sentence on July 8.

􀁧 Following the hearing, a Durham County Council spokeswoman confirmed Spoors was still employed by the authority but is, “not currently engaged in driving duties”. She added: “This is subject to review.”