Paul Carwithen was killed in a crash on New Year's Day

by Keith Hunt

A drunk driver is facing jail after admitting causing the death by dangerous driving of a pedestrian in Maidstone in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Latvian Valdis Labeckis, of Old Tovil Road, Maidstone, was at the wheel of a BMW 320 car that killed Paul Carwithen and seriously injured Maria-Louise Cook.

Mr Carwithen, of Linley Close, Maidstone, and Miss Cook had been to London for New Year's Eve and were walking to a friend's house in the early hours when they were struck at the lower end of Postley Road and Old Tovil Road.

Mr Carwithen, 34, who worked with Miss Cook at Morrisons supermarket in Sutton Road, went through the windscreen of the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Miss Cook, 29, was taken to King's College Hospital in London.

Maria-Louise Cook was seriously injured in the crash in Maidstone

The BMW, which also struck two stationary vehicles, was owned by Ugis Luksa. Monta Kovisade was a front seat passenger and Linda Rubine was in the back seat.

Labeckis, a 21-year-old factory worker, entered his guilty plea through an interpreter at Maidstone Crown Court today.

Charlotte Newell, defending, said Labeckis wanted to be sentenced immediately, but prosecutor Stephen Clayton was granted an adjournment until Friday March 15 so further important evidence could be obtained.

Mr Clayton said it would also allow members of Mr Carwithen's family to travel from Devon to attend the sentencing hearing.

Miss Cook sat in court in a wheelchair. Friends of her and Mr Carwithen packed the public gallery.

The scene of the fatal collision in Old Tovil Road, Maidstone

Remanding Labeckis in custody, Judge Philip Statman told him: "You have had the good sense to plead guilty. That will be something that will be reflected in your sentence.

"You must appreciate you face an immediate custodial sentence."