October 2, 2020 2.40 pm This story is over 41 months old

Lincoln man admits causing couple’s death in crash

He will be sentenced later this month
The Bateman family. | Photo: Cambridgeshire Police

A Lincoln man has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and with drugs in his system after a Cambridgeshire couple lost their lives in a crash on the A142.

Robert Bateman, 36, and his wife Paula, 35, from Manea, March, died in the collision, which involved their Ford Focus and an Iveco Daily van. It happened between Chatteris and Mepal just after 8pm on Thursday, September 3.

Their two daughters, Lexi aged10, and 18-month old Elizabeth, were also in the car. Lexi suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries, and both girls were later discharged from hospital.

The van driver, Luke Norton, 31, of Nocton Park Road, Nocton, Lincoln appeared at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday, October 2.

He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, and to driving a motor vehicle with an excess amount of the drug benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite of cocaine, in his blood.

Judge Sean Enright remanded Norton in custody to be sentenced at the same court on October 16.

Robert Bateman and his wife Paula sadly died. | Photo: Cambridgeshire Police

In a statement earlier this month, Bob and Paula’s family said: “We are utterly devastated by this news. Bob and Paula were much-loved friends to many and will be missed by everyone who knew them.

“They were also utterly devoted parents. Bob was a much-loved son and father, while Paula was a much-loved daughter, sister and mother.”

Over £16,000 has been raised to help support their two young children.