A MOTORIST who knocked down and killed a pensioner outside Colne Muni was driving at more than twice the speed limit, a court heard.

Keith Robinson suffered fatal injuries after being struck by Daniel Mills’ Vauxhall Corsa, which had been travelling at around 66mph outside the Albert Road venue in February 2016.

But a crown court judge may have to determine whether Mills was also using a mobile phone at the time of the collision, which occurred at around 10.20pm, as the driver was travelling towards Colne station.

Prosecutor Richard Haworth said that the question of whether the defendant was using a phone could represent a 'significant uplift' in Mills’ eventual sentence.

Mills, of Haverholt Close, Colne, pleaded guilty to causing Mr Robinson’s death by dangerous driving.

Defence counsel Mark Stuart said that there was a basis for Mills’ plea, covering the evidence relating to the mobile phone, which would need to be resolved by a further hearing.

He was bailed until August 4 and pre-sentence reports were requested by Judge Beverly Lunt. The prosecution was granted seven days to decide whether the trial of issue would be necessary.

An interim driving disqualification was imposed on the defendant until the next hearing.

Members of Mr Robinson’s immediate family and Mills’ father were both in court to hear the guilty plea being entered.

Adjourning the case, Judge Lunt, said: “It is going to be a prison sentence but there are things that the court needs to know, to determine the length.”

The court heard that the defendant accepted he had been travelling at speed along Albert Road, where the speed limit is 30mph.

Mr Robinson was described by his family at the time of his death as a “loving dad, brother and uncle, who was an “avid rugby fan who also enjoyed listening to music and going to concerts'.