Sheldon Flanighan: Defendant admits he killed off-duty ambulance worker

Sheldon Flanighan, 55, died outside the Bay Horse Inn on 1 April

A man has admitted that he killed an off-duty ambulance worker who was run over by a van, jurors have been told.

Sheldon Flanighan, 55, had been with a friend at the Bay Horse Inn in Cramlington, when they were mowed down by 38-year-old Toby Kelly in April.

Mr Kelly, who denies murder, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Wednesday, in the absence of the jury.

The judge later told them the murder allegation still stands and the trial at Newcastle Crown Court will continue.

Mr Kelly, of Wansbeck Avenue, Blyth, also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm in relation to Mr Flanighan's friend, Wayne Common, who was seriously injured.

He also remains on trial for Mr Common's attempted murder, which he denies.

Prosecutors have said that Mr Kelly struck Mr Flanighan by reversing over him, before going on to strike him again by driving forwards onto his body.

The 55-year-old, who worked for the North East Ambulance Service, was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr Common suffered life-threatening injuries.

'He drove at people'

Judge Penny Moreland told the jury: "Toby Kelly asked to be rearraigned, that is he asked for another opportunity of entering a plea and he pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter."

The jury was told the murder allegation still stands and the trial will continue.

"Toby Kelly admits that he did an unlawful act, that is that he drove the van at people in the car park," Judge Moreland said.

"He accepts a reasonable person would realise that would subject others to at least a risk of some physical harm.

"He admits in doing so he caused the death of Sheldon Flanighan."

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Mr Kelly had been involved in a fight

The judge said that for the prosecution to prove Mr Kelly guilty of murder, they would have to make jurors sure that he intended either to kill or to cause really serious harm, which he still denies.

She said for the prosecution to prove Mr Kelly is guilty of attempted murder, they must prove "he intended to kill".

Judge Moreland added that he could be found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent - which he also denies - if jurors were satisfied he had such an intention.

The court has heard that Mr Flanighan and Mr Common had gone to the Northumberland pub with another friend on the night of Saturday 1 April.

The men were just metres away from Mr Kelly, his partner Shannon Wooden and their friend David Fairclough, who had been drinking inside the bar for several hours.

The court heard that the three had been told by staff they would no longer be served alcohol, which led to Ms Wooden smashing a number of glasses on the floor in frustration.

Footage then showed Mr Kelly engaging in an altercation with Ms Wooden inside the bar with the pair grappling with each other on the floor.

Mr Kelly was later seen dragging her out of the pub by her legs towards the car park, jurors heard.

This led to Mr Flanighan and Mr Common also leaving the pub, and entering the car park, the court was told.

The court was told that one witness, whose girlfriend worked inside the Bay Horse Inn, heard the two victims approach the defendant to say he should not hit a woman.

The court also heard that Ms Wooden and Mr Fairclough are facing no charges, and the jury was told to focus on Mr Kelly alone.

The trial continues.