News Jail threat for driver
FACING JAIL: Leslie Abel walking into court earlier this week.
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A lorry driver has been told he will be jailed after admitting ploughing into the back of cars, causing the death of three people near Goole in a horror smash.
Leslie Abel (55), bowed his head as he admitted three charges of dangerous driving, watched by two sets of families who are still grieving from the crash on the M18 slip road of the M62 in a seven-vehicle pile up.
David Goodridge (52), of Retford; Jayne Parkhouse (36) and Stephen Parkhouse (17), both of Bridlington, all died from injuries received in the crash at the Langham interchange near Cowick on October 19.
Mr Abel, of Slight Close in Hull, looked mournful as he pleaded guilty to three charges of driving his Scania lorry dangerously, causing death.
Relatives packed the jury box and public gallery of Hull Crown Court in an emotionally-tense plea and directions hearing on Wednesday this week.
Mr Abel, dressed in black shirt and black trousers left the talking to his barrister Michael Scholes, who told the court: "He is an experienced HGV driver for many years without incident. There was initial exploration in terms of what may have happened to Mr Abel. There has been exploration of medical issues.
"There was gross inattention for a period which the police say ranges from 14 to six seconds. The defendant was initially thought to be suffering from undiagnosed type-two diabetes. There was no defence for him on the basis of medical information.
"He is utterly remorseful for the consequences of what happened that day. He is only too aware of the emotional resonance of the effect it has had on others. He has asked for a pre-sentence report."
Crown barrister Nicholas Adlington said it was only right the sentencing judge in the case should have full access to the victim-impact statements and a technical police accident report. They are still being finalised.
Six other people were injured in the accident and were taken to hospital in Doncaster.
Motorists helped tend to the walking wounded. Five ambulances were sent to the scene and around 20 firefighters. The accident happened around 6.45pm in rush hour traffic and a section of the M62 between Langham and Junction 36 was closed for nearly 12 hours.
Senior purchasing manager Mr Goodridge, of Laneham-in-Retford, near Lincoln, died after his Honda CR-V overturned as he travelled back from Scarborough, where he worked. He later died in Doncaster Hospital.
Six members of Mr Goodridge's family were in court - including his widow Jacqueline - as well as the family of Jayne and Stephen Parkhouse.
Judge Roger Thorn, QC, ordered Mr Abel to stand as he told him the request for a report was entirely normal in such cases. He said: "There will inevitably be a custodial sentence. You will be given credit for your plea of guilty. The question will be to the length of sentence."
Mr Abel was released from the dock and is due to re-appear on October 2.
Published on 28th August 2008 in News.
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