Man admits causing seven-year-old's death in crash

Seven-year-old Elsie Gascoigne died following the crash near Sleaford in January

A van driver who killed a seven-year-old girl in a crash in Lincolnshire has been warned to expect a lengthy jail sentence.

Elsie Gascoigne, from Metheringham was on her way home from a shopping trip and was in one of two vehicles which collided on the B1202 Metheringham Heath Lane, Nocton, near Sleaford on Friday 3 January.

Veselin Dudenski, 39, of Cherry Avenue, Branston, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday.

An application for bail was rejected and he was remanded into custody until he is sentenced at the same court on 28 November.

Elsie suffered serious injuries in the collision between a blue Kia and Dudenski's white Citroen Relay van. She was taken to hospital but died in the early hours of the following day.

Wearing a grey jacket and black jumper, Dudenski, also pleaded guilty to a second charge of causing serious injury to an adult by driving dangerously on the same date.

Claire Holmes, prosecuting, said those in court understood sentencing could not take place straight away.

"The family would not like any delay in sentence," Ms Holmes stressed.

John McNally, defending Dudenski, made an application for a pre-sentence probation report on his client.

Mr McNally also explained Dudenski was a father who had come to court by car and asked for him to be granted bail until he is sentenced.

Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight rejected both applications and remanded Dudenski into custody.

"He is convicted by his own pleas," Judge Sjolin Knight said. "His decision to drive here is remarkable."

Judge Sjolin Knight told Dudenski: "You have pleaded guilty to two serious offences, causing the death of Elsie Gascoigne by dangerous driving and causing serious injury."

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