Man admits killing 'kind and caring great granddad'
A 31-year-old man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a pensioner and three driving offences committed on the same day.
Ashley Sumner, of Berwyn View, Ellesmere admitted the unlawful killing of 80-year-old John Bathers during a brief appearance at Stafford Crown Court yesterday.
Sumner also entered guilty pleas to taking a Honda Jazz without consent at Oswestry on September 6 this year, and driving the same vehicle other than in accordance with a licence on the B5069 at St Martins. He also pleaded guilty to driving the car while having no insurance.
The facts of the case were not opened by the Crown and Sumner was remanded in custody for sentencing at a different court on December 3.
Adjourning the case for the preparation of a Probation Service report, Judge Kristina Montgomery QC said: “I think a report regarding dangerousness should be prepared. There may be many reasons why that will be not a consideration at the sentencing exercise but I still think it is something that the Probation Service should have the opportunity to opine upon, in case that does become relevant.”
In a statement issued last month, the family of Mr Bathers, of St Martins, said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved dad, granddad and great granddad.
“We will remember him as a kind and caring man who was dearly loved by his family. We will miss him deeply and he will always be in our hearts.”
