David Stewart previously denied a charge of causing the death of Lee Stevenson by dangerous driving, claiming he was not riding the Kawasaki motorcycle at the time of the accident, during a short police chase.
Mr Stevenson, who police described as having been the pillion passenger, was thrown from the motorbike when it collided with a roundabout on Passfield Way, Peterlee, in the early hours of Saturday, March 25, 2023.
The 27-year-old father of two, who police said was not wearing a helmet at the time, was pronounced dead at the scene.
At that hearing, a trial date was fixed, with a start date that would have taken place at the court yesterday (Monday, February 17).
But when the case came into court, before Judge Jo Kidd in the afternoon list, she said she understood the charge could be put again to the defendant.
He, this time, pleaded guilty, meaning a trial is no longer necessary in the case.
Judge Jo Kidd said it was only a month ago that the defendant indicated to the prosecution and to the court that he was riding the motorcycle at the time of the fatal accident.
John Crawford, prosecuting, said two victim impact statements have been put forward for consideration at the sentencing hearing by members of Mr Stevenson’s family.
He said it had been hoped the case could move to sentence, but it may be that other family members would wish to be present and to also make victim statements.
Judge Kidd said it was only fair for those other family members to be present and to make victim personal statements, should they wish.
Mr Cordey said: “He’s well aware of that and came to court today expecting that.”
He said in the light of that, the defendant has been helping his family to move to a smaller property.
But he asked the judge if the defendant could remain on bail until the sentencing hearing.
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Judge Kidd said as Stewart left it until only a month before the listed trial to finally make his admission to being the rider of the motorbike, and, “due to the history of the case”, she would remand him in custody prior to the sentencing hearing.
She told Stewart to go down to the cells with the custody staff to appear via video link from prison at the sentencing hearing, on Friday February 28.
The judge then thanked members of the deceased’s family who were present at court and said she hoped that after the sentencing hearing takes place they may be able to, “move on in terms of closure.”
