A mum-of-two has admitted causing the death of car mad mechanic Joseph Hayward, who grew up in Devizes, in Broad Hinton last year.

Sarah Mann, 37, was behind the wheel of a Chrysler Voyager on Sunday, March 10, on the A4361 when she overtook a school coach and crashed into a Peugeot 106 being driven by the 26-year-old. The crash happened shortly after 3.15pm.

Appearing before Swindon Crown Court this morning, Mann, of Cranmore Avenue, Park South, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The court heard she had a previous conviction for dangerous driving at Worcester Crown Court, which dated back 13 years.

Rob Ross, defending, said his client suffered from health problems and cared for her 13 and 10-year-old children.

Judge Jason Taylor QC ordered a pre-sentence report but warned the woman she faced a spell behind bars.

He said: “You have pleaded guilty to two counts today. You obviously know how serious these counts are and they are aggravated by your previous driving record.

“Even though I am adjourning for a pre-sentence report you should come to court prepared for an immediate custodial sentence with all the preparation that is involved.”

She will be sentenced on October 5.

Mr Hayward was a former pupil of St Joseph's primary in Devizes and St Augustine's, Trowbridge.

Just after his death as his family prepared for Mr Hayward's funeral at St Michael's Church in Melksham his mother Dorothy Carlton spoke about her son to the Gazette. She told how her son who used to keep spare car parts in his bedroom and always had several cars on the drive as he was growing up in Rowde with his brother Christopher, 29, sister Poppy, 24 and father Peter.

Mrs Carlton, who now lives in Potterne with her husband Graham, said: "Joe was in to taking anything and everything apart from a very young age. Before he got into cars it was bikes. He would build them himself.

“Everything he did was about cars. He never wanted to go abroad on holiday. He loved his family and friends and was often called upon to fix their cars in his spare time.

“He was immensely well liked and we have taken comfort from the messages we have received. His friends in the Peugeot 106 club are talking about trying to rebuild the car that he was in in the accident. It shows how much they cared about him.”

Joe studied motor sport engineering at Lackham College, near Chippenham, and then joined Audi in Swindon as an apprentice.

His mum and his stepdad Graham Carlton visited Audi after his death and were touched by the regard in which he was held.

Paul Hickey the retired head of St Joseph's said: "Joey attended St. Joseph's school along with his brother and sister. I have nothing but fond and positive memories of all the family because they always gave total support and contributed in so many different ways to school life. I remember him as a lovely child who was very popular."

Colleagues at Audi said at the time: "His death has stunned us all. We all miss not seeing his smiling face come bounding through the workshop.

"His birthday was on March 15, we held a birthday party in his honour in the workshop and blasted out some of his favourite tunes chosen from his playlists, we know that’s what he would have wanted, a celebration.

"Joe will always be missed; he has left a massive void that will be impossible to fill, but he has also left us with a lot of great memories."