A LORRY driver has admitted his “careless” driving caused the death of a man in an accident on the A66 in Cumbria.

At Carlisle Crown Court, Nathan Michael Walker, 26, who previously denied the offence, changed his plea to guilty.

The charge states that, through his careless driving, he caused the death of 60-year-old Paul Stenner, who was also driving a lorry, during a collision at Kirkby Thore on December 22, 2021.

The defendant was driving a MAN large goods vehicle.

Barrister John Dye, for Walker, told the court that after consulting a neurologist and a cardiologist, the defence team could not rule out as a cause for what happened a condition known as syncope – or fainting.

But Mr Dye explained the case was having an impact on the defendant’s mental health and he now wished to plead guilty.

Walker, who spoke only to confirm his details and to enter his plea, was no longer driving and did not want to return to driving HGVs.

The barrister accepted the offence crossed the custody threshold but the defendant, a man of previous good character, hoped that the sentence could be suspended.

Judge Michael Fanning adjourned sentencing until June 20 and imposed an interim driving ban on Walker, whose address has been given as Hall Close, Hemsworth, Pontefract.

The judge told the defendant: “You have pleaded guilty today and will be given appropriate credit.

"You have saved the need for a trial and that also saves further pain for the family of the deceased.

“It is a serious case. You understand that all sentencing options are open, but you are a man of good character and there will be a pre-sentence report.

"I can’t rule anything out.”

The case had been due to go to trial in August. Mr Stenner was also a lorry driver and he hailed from Lincolnshire area.