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Van driver Daniel Butler admits causing Suzanne Maclaclan's death after taking drugs

By: Keith Hunt

Published: 14:07, 26 June 2018

A father has admitted causing the death of a charity fundraiser by dangerous driving after taking drugs.

Daniel Butler's Ford Transit van collided with Suzanne Maclachlan's Peugeot 206 on the A228 Malling Road in Mereworth.

The mother, from Wateringbury, suffered multiple injuries in the crash on Sunday, August 20 last year.

WARNING SMALL FILE SIZEKMG GROUP USE ONLYConditions of Use: Slug: MACLACHLAN TN 290817Caption: Suzanne Maclachlan has been named as the victim of a fatal crash on the A228 in Mereworth on Sunday, August 20.Location: MaidstoneCategory: Road AccidentsByline: UnknownContact Name: Kent Police PressContact Email: press.office@kent.pnn.police.ukContact Phone: 01622 652150Uploaded By: Natalie TIPPINGCopyright: UnknownOriginal Caption: FM4903293 (2735453)

She was airlifted to King's College Hospital in London but died soon afterwards.

Butler, of Silverweed Road, Chatham, entered the guilty plea when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court.

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He had also faced three alternative charges of causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit for amphetamine, cocaine and benzoylecgonine.

Sentence was adjourned until September 28 after Thomas Godfrey, defending, said Butler had a history of mental health problems.

"Shortly after this incident he was sectioned for a period of time," he said.

Asking that bail be continued, Mr Godfrey said Butler had pleaded guilty to a serious matter that would result in a prison sentence.

"There are certain matters he would hope to put in place prior to his incarceration," he added.

"He has been on bail for a considerable time. He is not in any way a flight risk."

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Butler, father of a six-year-old boy, mumbled obscenities after Judge Adele Williams remanded him in custody.

"I am afraid in my judgement there are substantial grounds for believing the defendant might either commit further offences or fail to appear," she said.

"This is plainly a difficult situation. He has pleaded guilty to a serious matter."

Ken Maclachan, 62, of Glenleigh Road, has paid tribute to his wife of 41 years saying she "loved people and people loved her".

They moved to Wateringbury about 10 years ago. Zumba fan Mrs Maclachan fought a three-year battle with lung cancer. She raised thousands of pounds for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust.

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