Hit and run driver who left woman dying faces long jail sentence after pleading guilty
A hit and run driver is facing a long jail-term after he admitted causing the death of a mum in a Valentine's Day tragedy.
Pedestrian Diane Jones was crossing the road when she was struck by Reece Roberts, who was already banned and had no insurance.
He fled the scene in his Volvo XC90 as the 59-year-old, of Thorney Close, Sunderland, lay dying.
The smash happened on the A690 Durham Road, in the Farringdon area of the city on February 14 this year (2026).
Roberts, 27, of Florida Street, Sunderland, has now pleaded guilty to causing Diane's death by dangerous driving.
Appearing at Newcastle Crown Court today (March 17) via a video-link from prison, he also admitted causing death while disqualified from driving and while uninsured.
Judge Tim Gittins said: "You have pleaded guilty to these serious matters and the next stage is for you to be sentenced.
"I'm directing a pre-sentence report so you need to make yourself available to the probation service. Ultimately, you will be sentenced on the 13th of May and you will be produced at court for that.
"You will appreciate, a substantial sentence of imprisonment is likely to follow but you will receive significant credit for your early guilty plea, tendered today.
"It only remains for me to pass on my sincere condolences to Ms Jones' family."
Roberts was not granted bail and further remanded in custody.