A SUFFOLK drink-driver has admitted his careless driving caused the death of a passenger in his sports car.

Shawn Smith, of High Leas, Beccles, made the guilty plea in relation to a crash on the A146 at Worlingham last April.

The 41-year-old, appearing at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday (Friday), accepted a charge of causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink.

Brian Hunter-Lindsay, 46, died after the Porsche 911 Targa he was a passenger in left the A146 just before 2.45am on April 11, 2010. The sports car collided with roadside trees and vegetation before returning to the road where there was a second collision involving a green Vauxhall Astra.

Smith also pleaded guilty to one charge of driving while disqualified, without insurance and unlicensed.

Judge David Goodin told Smith a jail term would be inevitable when he is sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, February 11.

Addressing Smith, he said: “You’re aware of the inevitable sentence that must follow after your pleas of guilty – a prison sentence. There’s been no decision how long that will be but we’ll be assisted by the probation service who will prepare a pre-sentence report.”

Smith was given an interim disqualification from driving a vehicle anywhere in the country until his sentencing, when a fixed ban will be imposed.

The sentencing was specially arranged for a Friday to make it easier for family members of Mr Hunter-Lindsay, who are based in Scotland.

The funeral of Mr Hunter-Lindsay, who lived in Beccles, was held at the town’s St Benet’s Roman Catholic Church on April 29.