A Pinchbeck man has today admitted a charge of manslaughter following a fatal crash in which a father of three was killed.
Sean Burlton, 28, died when the car he was a passenger in overturned in a ditch full of water on Counter Drain Drove, Tongue End, Lincs, on 24 November 2023.
The crash involved a grey Ford Focus, a black Vauxhall Insignia and a grey Volkswagen Touran.
Two men were charged with manslaughter and causing death by dangerous driving in relation to Mr Burlton, and a third charge of conspiracy to commit actual bodily harm to Richard McMullon between November 22 and 25, 2023.
Bailey Fitzgerald, 29, of Brownlow Crescent, Pinchbeck, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter and conspiracy to commit actual bodily harm charges when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court.
Fitzgerald entered a not guilty plea to the offence of causing death by dangerous driving.
Prosecution barrister Gordon Aspden KC indicated those pleas were acceptable and a trial for Fitzgerald would not be required.
Sam Johnson, 26, of Johnson Avenue, Spalding, and formerly of Clough Road, Gosberton Risegate, entered not guilty pleas to the offences of manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving and conspiracy to commit actual bodily harm.
Judge Simon Hirst adjourned Mr Johnson’s case for a four week trial beginning at Lincoln Crown Court on September 1.
Mr Johnson will go on trial alongside five other defendants who are also accused of conspiracy to commit actual bodily harm to Mr McMullon.
They are Sam Clift, 35, of Brownlow Crescent, Pinchbeck, Josh Copnell, 22, of Rose Lane, Pinchbeck, Max Prior, 21, of London Road, Spalding, Vanessa Gratton, 31, of West Parade, Spalding and Scott Biggs, 33, of Spalding Common, Spalding,
All seven defendants were granted bail and Mr Fitzgerald will be sentenced at the conclusion of the trial.
In a statement, his family previously said Mr Burlton, who grew up in Pointon and went to school in Billingborough, had a brother and three sisters, including a twin, and they would “never forget him”.
