Banned drug-driver admits killing two in crash

A man has admitted killing two people in a head-on crash by driving dangerously while disqualified and uninsured.

Mother-of-three Abby Storey, 35, from Workington, and Marty Roberts, 34, from Merseyside, died in a collision between two cars on the A66 near Broughton Cross, west of Cockermouth, on 12 July 2025.

Appearing at Carlisle Crown Court, Kevin Hooton, 42 and from Liverpool, also admitted causing death by careless driving when unfit through drugs and causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Storey's partner Andrew Holding, who was driving the black Ford Focus Hooton crashed into.

He will be sentenced at the same court on 21 December and was remanded in custody until then.

Initially driving an Audi A3 westbound on the A66, the court heard Hooton crossed fully into the eastbound carriageway where he collided with the Ford Focus.

Storey, a sales assistant, had been the front passenger in the Ford, while rail maintenance worker Roberts was also Hooton's front seat passenger.

At their inquest, the coroner said both had died as a result of chest injuries.

Prosecutor Tim Evans told the court Hooton, a previously convicted heroin and crack cocaine dealer, was found to be over the prescribed drug limit following the collision.

Carmel Wilde, defending, said Hooton was in custody having been subject to a 56-day recall.

Appearing in court by video link, he spoke to confirm his name and date of birth before entering guilty pleas.

Hooton, who held crutches, was also badly hurt in the crash.

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