Driver admits causing death of disgraced politician David Tweed

Two women leaving a black turntable style gate. The woman on the left is Anne Broughton who is wearing a white blouse and navy trousers. She has a brown bag on her left shoulder and has straight grey hair to her shoulders and a fringe. The other woman is standing side on and has grey short hair and is all in black. Her face is obscured. She has a black backpack on.

Anne Broughton (left) leaving Antrim Crown Court following a previous court appearance

A woman has pleaded guilty to causing the death by careless driving of the disgraced former councillor and ex-Ireland international rugby player David Tweed.

The former politician died aged 61 when his motorcycle was involved in a collision with a car in Ballycastle, County Antrim on 28 October 2021.

Anne Broughton, 71, from Whitepark Road in Ballycastle, had previously denied the charge but at Antrim Crown Court her barrister asked for it to be put to her again.

This time, she admitted the offence and received a mandatory driving ban but sentencing was adjourned to allow pre-sentence reports to be compiled.

Tweed was a controversial figure who was capped four times while playing for the Ireland rugby team.

The unionist politician was first elected to Ballymena council as a representative of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

The late David Tweed is walking looking at the camera. He has short, white hair and moustache. He is wearing a grey blazer, purple pin stripped shirt and stripped tie. He is carrying a bag over his shoulder.Pacemaker

David Tweed was convicted of child sex abuse charges, which were later quashed after he had served four years of an eight-year sentence

However, he left the DUP in 2007 over the party's decision to share power with Sinn Féin and later, joined Jim Allister's Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) party.

In 2012, he was convicted on child sex abuse charges and given an eight-year sentence.

Following his conviction, he was expelled from the Orange Order and was suspended and then replaced by the TUV.

But after serving four years in prison, he appealed and his convictions were quashed in 2016 because of the way the jury was directed in his initial trial.

Some members of Mr Tweed's family have since spoken out about the abuse, with his stepdaughter criticising politicians who issued messages of condolence after his death.

Broughton was released on bail to await sentencing with the case expected to return to court on 7 November.

A prosecuting barrister told the judge that the Public Prosecution Service intends to obtain victim impact statements.

Imposing an interim driving ban, the judge told the pensioner the length of her driving ban would be determined when he passes sentence.

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