Driver caused death of 18-year-old passenger

A 21-year-old Shropshire man has admitted causing the death by careless driving of a passenger in his car.

Scott Muir, of Old Chirk Road, Gobowen, appearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday, admitted causing the death of 18-year-old Grant McCulloch by careless driving on October 24, 2009.

The court heard Muir was driving on the B5069 Gobowen Road in Oswestry and lost control of the car in which Mr McCulloch was a passenger.

Judge Robin Onions adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report until Friday and Muir was granted conditional bail.

A 21-year-old Shropshire man has admitted causing the death by careless driving of a passenger in his car.

Scott Muir, of Old Chirk Road, Gobowen, appearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday, admitted causing the death of 18-year-old Grant McCulloch by careless driving on October 24, 2009.

The court heard Muir was driving on the B5069 Gobowen Road in Oswestry and lost control of the car in which Mr McCulloch was a passenger.

Judge Robin Onions adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report until Friday and Muir was granted conditional bail.

Muir had been due to stand trial after originally denying the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

But yesterday Muir entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving.

Muir was ordered to remain at his home until Friday and co-operate with the probation service to prepare a pre-sentence report.

The judge said: "When there is a risk of somebody losing their liberty the law requires me to order a pre-sentence report. I think the report is necessary."

Following the incident Muir was taken to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital with serious injuries and later transferred to Walton Hospital, Liverpool.

Tributes were paid to Mr McCulloch and several floral tributes were laid at the scene of the incident.

Mr McCulloch's father Ian said he was a "good" son, full of fun and with some really great friends.

His mother Jane said the whole family was devastated by his death.

He was in the final year of an apprenticeship as a car mechanic and worked at Moreton Garage, Gledrid. Mr McCulloch was a keen music fan, particularly of Oswestry band The Kayas.

He had a sister Sophie and a brother, Bradley.

Lance Collings, owner of Moreton Garage Services where Mr McCulloch worked, also paid tribute to him following his death.

He described Mr McCulloch as a "lovely natured young man, well respected by friends and colleagues".

And Kayas frontman Ad Edwards also paid tribute, describing him as a "top lad".