A MAN has admitted causing the death of a 37-year-old woman by driving without due care and attention.

Daniel Jamie Samways, 37, of Dean Lane, Sixpenny Handley, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court charged with causing death by driving without due care and attention and while over the legal limit of benzoylecgonine – the main metabolite of cocaine.

The defendant entered guilty pleas to both charges.

On February 1, 2020, Samways was driving along the B3081 near Sixpenny Handley when a crash occurred between a VW Up BlueMotion, a black Audi A3 and a green Isuzu Pick-up being driven by Samways.

The driver of the VW Up, 37-year-old Ella Cooper from Ringwood, was taken to Southampton General Hospital with life-threatening injuries, she died on February 7.

The court heard how Samways had 52mg of benzoylecgonine per 100ml of blood in his system, the legal limit is 50mg.

Prosecuting, Nicholas Cotter said: “The driving itself seemed to be a momentary lapse, the reality is he was above the prescribed limit.”

Mitigating, Nick Robinson reiterated it was a momentary lapse and that the defendant was of previous good character.

He said the drug had no impact on the driving, but Samways accepted the charges.

Judge Brian Forster adjourned the case for sentencing at the same court on August 27.

He said: “I ask for a report, but I can’t say what type of sentence will be given.

“You are disqualified from driving from this moment in time. Any driving will be considered a serious matter.

“I grant you bail, only condition being you come at 2pm on August 27.”

The occupants of the Audi, one adult and two children, had minor injuries and Samways also sustained minor injuries.

After the crash, the road between the Sixpenny Handley roundabout and Wimborne Saint Giles was closed.

Paying tribute, Ms Cooper’s family said in a statement: “Ella was the kind of person you could not forget. She had the amazing ability to make so many feel special. Every day she lived life in full and made sure her many adventures were experienced with someone she loved.

“Ella was thoughtful, loving, generous, smart, hardworking and fiercely determined in all that she did.

“This year was set to be her best year yet as she looked forward to her wedding.

“So much of her life was still left to be fulfilled.

“We will miss her contagious energy, happiness and enthusiasm for life. She will be missed by all she met, her effect on others was profound.

“We love you Ella and the world is a little bit dimmer without you to brighten it.”