A DRIVER yesterday pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and failing to stop following a crash in which an 80-year-old man died.Christopher Thomson, formerly of Wells Close, Ipswich, admitted five motoring offences in relation to the accident which happened in Anglesea Road on June 30.

A DRIVER yesterday pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and failing to stop following a crash in which an 80-year-old man died.

Christopher Thomson, formerly of Wells Close, Ipswich, admitted five motoring offences in relation to the accident which happened in Anglesea Road on June 30.

South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court heard that Thomson's Honda Accord was speeding at 45 miles an hour in a 30 limit when he hit a Nissan car crossing the road at a junction.

Ronald Baxter, 80, died of his injuries following the crash.

David Taylor, prosecuting, told the court that an expert police crash investigator concluded that had Thompson been driving within the speed limit he would have had enough time to brake almost to a stop on seeing Mr Baxter's car.

Mr Taylor said Thomson, who now lives in Clacton, stopped momentarily following the accident but then drove away. He was tracked to his flat some three hours later.

He said: “Mr Thomson's car would have been out of sight to Mr Baxter when he moved out into Anglesea Road from Warrington Road.

“Had Thomson been travelling at 30mph Mr Baxter would have had time to cross the road completely.”

Nikki Miller, mitigating, said Thomson fully accepted responsibility for the tragic consequences of the accident.

She said: “Mr Thomson's perception of how the incident occurred is he came along Anglesea Road and saw another vehicle and his perception was that the car had not stopped at a give way sign.

“Mr Thomson said as soon as he realised the other vehicle was emerging he began braking.

“Obviously Mr Thomson is extremely remorseful for his actions and not a day goes past without thinking about the incident.

“It has haunted him a great deal that he has been involved in an accident resulting in a loss of life. He would like to extend his condolences to the driver's family.”

Miss Miller said that at the time of the incident Thomson fled the scene because he didn't realise the seriousness.

She added that the police report revealed that Mr Baxter was not wearing a seatbelt and this could have contributed to the disastrous outcome.

Chairman of the bench David Brennan adjourned the hearing for a pre-sentence report and said: “We think this offence is so serious we must certainly consider passing a custodial sentence.”

Thomson was granted bail and will appear on November 15 for sentencing. He was also handed an interim driving disqualification.