A BIKER has admitted killing a beloved grandmother in a fatal crash in Leigh.

Maria Ansell, from Leigh, was killed after being struck by the bike on London Road last year.

The 90-year-old grandmother was hit at around 4.50pm on April 2.

She was treated by paramedics at the scene and the whole road was closed while emergency services attended.

Ms Ansell was pronounced dead at the scene and rider of the motorbike was arrested.

Echo:

Scene - the aftermath of the crash in Leigh

James Williams, 24, of Croft Mead, Chichester, appeared at Basildon Crown Court where he admitted causing death by careless driving.

He is due to be sentenced at the same court on January 7 next year.

Ms Ansell’s family paid tribute to her in the months after her tragic death.

Katie Benn, Ms Ansell’s granddaughter, spoke on behalf of her and her family, to praise the “wonderful” woman she was.

At the time, she said: “In memory of our gorgeous ‘Yiayia’, the most wonderful grandmother and great grandmother anyone could ask for and who doted tirelessly on her entire family.

“Her mission in life was to make everyone else happy.

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Missed - Maria Ansell

“She was fit and healthy and we are all truly devastated to have lost our ‘rock’ in such tragic circumstances.

Pictures from the scene showed a destroyed motorbike with medical teams tending to the victim in the middle of the road.

Businesses were forced to close temporarily as no one could access the area.

The maximum prison sentence the court can impose for causing death by careless driving is five years.

A police spokesman said: “A man has admitted causing a fatal collision in Leigh-on-Sea.

“A pedestrian and a motorbike were in collision in London Road at around 4.50pm on 2 April 2019.

“The pedestrian, a woman in her 90s, was treated by paramedics but, sadly, died at the scene.”