A DANGEROUS driver crashed into a couple's car, causing the death of a popular ambulance technician and serious injuries to his wife.

Paul Bird was told he faces an almost inevitable jail sentence after he admitted causing the death of emergency medical technician, Gavin Hunt, and serious injury to his wife, Alison Hunt, by dangerous driving when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday.

The 45-year-old of Ludlow Avenue, Warndon Villages, Worcester, was involved in a crash at the junction of the B4202 and the A456 at Clows Top on February 2, 2018.

The couple was driving along the A456 from the direction of Bewdley towards Newnham Bridge when the crash occurred with Bird's grey Lexus, travelling along the B4202 from Cleobury Mortimer.

We reported at the time how residents from the village rushed out to the scene and provided first aid while also stopping other traffic on the road before emergency services arrived.

Despite the best efforts of ambulance staff, Mr Hunt died at the scene. His wife was taken to hospital with serious injuries but in a stable condition.

The 52-year-old joined Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service in 1997, moving to front line operations in 2000 and he was based in Kidderminster.

Ambulance bosses said Mr Hunt had never had a day off sick in his career and he was due to be presented with his 20-year medal in March at the trust’s award ceremony.

West Midlands Ambulance Service chief executive Anthony Marsh said at the time of his death: “At this sad and difficult time, I am sure I speak for everyone within the trust in conveying our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Gavin who has been taken away far too soon."

Speaking at court on Wednesday, Mark Lister, for Bird, said: "Mr Bird pleads guilty. He understands the almost inevitable consequences of those pleas."

Mr Lister said Bird was of previous good character with a good driving record and asked the case to be adjourned for a pre-sentence report and for character references to be prepared.

Mr Lister told the court that Bird had continued to drive and asked the judge if he would be minded not to impose an interim driving disqualification before the sentencing hearing.

However, judge Robert Juckes QC imposed an interim driving disqualification to begin at 9am the day after the hearing, giving the defendant less than 24 hours to sort matters out involving his car.

Paul Whitfield, prosecuting, said he would arrange for a victim personal statement to be made available to the judge before sentencing.

The court heard that the adjournment would also allow Mrs Hunt to be in court when Bird is sentenced.

Judge Juckes told Bird: "You have heard what has been said and you have had the good sense to plead guilty which is as much as you can do to help those who have suffered the loss which you have caused."

He told Bird to speak to the the court's liaison probation officer before leaving the court building so a short form pre-sentence report could be prepared before the sentencing hearing which is scheduled to take place on January 21.