A LORRY driver was warned that he could be jailed after admitting causing the death of an elderly couple.

Peter James Girton changed his plea to guilty to causing the death of Alastair Flattely, 86, and his wife Sheila, 85, in an A37 horror crash in May last year.

He admitted two counts at Dorchester Crown Court of causing death by careless driving on May 29, 2009.

The Beaminster couple died when their car burst into flames after a collision with Girton’s Volvo articulated lorry on the A37 at Holywell Cross, near Evershot.

Girton, 46, of Rowan Drive, Taunton, originally denied the charges when he appeared in court in February and was due to stand trial.

He remained impassive in the dock when he appeared at Dorchester Crown Court, with his hands behind his back and spoke only to confirm his name and address and enter his pleas.

Girton, smartly dressed in a suit with a red tie, will be sentenced next month.

Judge Roger Jarvis said: “You have now entered a plea for what, I’m sure you will appreciate, are two serious matters.

“There’s every possibility of you losing your liberty for these serious matters.

“The court is going to file the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

“It’s very important that you co-operate with the probation officer.”

Councillors representing wards close to the A37 said the sentence handed down to Girton needed to be appropriate for the crime.

Yetminster district councillor Margaret Lawrence said: “One needs to be cautious when driving and needs to drive with care and respect.

“I would say that this lorry driver is going to have what happened on his mind for the rest of his life – he’s going to be punishing himself for what he’s done.

“However, he’s brought this upon himself and has to live with the consequences.”

Coun Tony Frost, who represents Evershot, said: “When I attend Evershot Parish Council meetings, the situation of safety at Holywell Cross does come up from time to time.

“My sympathy is with the couple who were killed.

“I wouldn’t want to criticise the judge – there must be a strong reason for him to say a prison sentence is a possibility.”

The Echo reported in May last year how passers-by attempted to free the Flattelys from their blue Honda Jazz car after the collision.

The blaze was eventually extinguished but it was too late to save their lives.

Girton was released on bail to return to Dorchester Crown Court on September 16.

He was reminded that he has an interim disqualification from driving.