A hit-and-run driver today admitted killing a young Halesowen mother in the early hours of Mother's Day.

Paul Jones ploughed into 25-year-old Leanne Moore as she was returning home from the Widders pub and left her dying in Barrack Lane, Cradley.

Jones, aged 22, of Leonard Road, Stourbridge, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Wolverhampton Crown Court. He was remanded in custody until the week beginning June 23.

advertisementLeanne, of Cranmoor Crescent, worked as a cleaner at Windsor High School.

She was rushed to hospital after the accident but died a short time later despite efforts by doctors to save her.

Her daughter Sophie was aged just ten months at the time of her death.

Samantha Powis, defending, said Jones admitted he had drunk just one pint and a small bottle of cider before the accident.

She said he had not been in possession of his car for long, did not know how to work the demister and was unaware he had struck Leanne.

The court heard Jones maintained his windscreen was misted up and he had been blinded by oncoming headlights as he went over the brow of a hill near the pub.

He further maintained, said Miss Powis, that'he had to flee the scene of the accident to avoid arrest for earlier offences committed by another man in the same car.

Judge Michael Dudley agreed two other charges of driving without insurance and otherwise in accordance with a licence against Jones should be withdrawn.

He said the amount of alcohol consumed by Jones was as a "substantial issue" which should be resolved before the case came back to the court