A woman has pleaded guilty to causing the death of Swindon dad Paul Morton in a crash while drink driving. 

Paula Rendell, 50, of Abbey View Road, appeared at Swindon Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing and stood accused of causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. 

Mr Morton, from Swindon, died when the white Audi A3 he was in, being driven by Rendell who was his partner at the time, left the carriageway on Kingsdown Road and hit a tree on June 17, last year.

She was found to have had 99 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millimetres of blood, which was 19 milligrams over the legal limit of 80. 

Judge Jason Tyler KC described it as a 'serious offence' and referred the case for a sentencing hearing on June 25, to allow the defence time to complete a pre-sentence medical report. 

In the meantime, Ms Rendell has been disqualified from driving.

The maximum prison sentence the court can impose for causing death by careless driving or careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs is five years.

Swindon Advertiser: Tributes at the scene of a car crash that took the life of dad and grandad Paul MortonFollowing his death, Paul's loved ones left floral tributes, other items and even Father's Day cards at the scene.

Days later they released a heart-breaking tribute for him, which said: "Paul was a loving dad to Rebecca and Danielle, adored Bampy to his two grand-daughters Nayla-Mae and Delilah, amazing brother to Steven and Brian and a doting son to Dianne.

"He was bubbly and funny and was always up for a family party. Paul was full of laughter and jokes and he was the reason we came together as a family.

"Paul was a good friend, always reliable and there to help anyone who needed it. He had such a good heart.

"Paul is going to be sadly missed, not just by his family but by his friends too.

"He was such a well-known person, he had so much love for everyone."

Swindon Advertiser:

Acting SGT James Barrett said: “This was a tragic incident which has resulted in a much-loved family member losing his life.

“Rendell knew that she had been drinking and would be over the limit, but still made the conscious decision to drive and risk her and her partner’s life.

“This decision has had devastating consequences, and it’s an awful reminder of the dangers of drunk driving."