A drink-driver is in custody facing jail after admitting causing the death of a 63-year-old man by dangerous driving.

Kevin Moore, of Couchman Green Lane, Staplehurst, entered the plea when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court today.

He also admitted having no insurance or driving licence when his Land Rover Discovery smashed into Andrew Brain’s Volkswagen Golf on the A229 between Linton and Staplehurst on January 4.

The victim, of Maidstone Road, Marden, was taken to a London hospital after the accident just past The Stile Bridge pub at about 5pm, but died from his injuries the following day.

Mary Jacobson, defending, told of Moore’s drug problem and asked “as an act of mercy” that he be allowed bail until sentence on November 18.

“He is fully aware of the custodial nature of the sentence and was expecting that today,” she said. “However, he is struggling to cope with what has happened.

“It will come out in mitigation that he has had a very difficult period involving drugs. He told police he was on methadone.

“He lives with his parents. They are under no illusions about the eventual outcome. They would give him support for the coming weeks.

“The risk of him getting back on the road is nil. He has control of his methadone. Just a few more weeks in that secure environment will be a help to him in the long run.”

But remanding Moore, 45, into custody, Judge Adele Williams said: “Plainly, a custodial sentence will follow. I am afraid the defendant must remain in custody now.”