Teen pleads guilty to causing woman's death in city crash

CJ Fitt, 18, was riding a Yamaha 125 motorbike which hit pedestrian Lucy Machin, 55, as she was taking the family dog for an early morning walk in Colman Road, Norwich.

Crash scene on Colman Road, Norwich (Image: Newsquest) Fitt, from Barrett Road, Norwich, had previously denied causing her death by careless driving after being charged over the fatal crash which happened at about 7.20am on November 17, 2022.

But he appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Friday, where he entered a guilty plea to the charge.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) He had previously admitted a charge of causing death by driving while uninsured.

Jude Durr, who represented Fitt, asked for a pre-sentence report to be carried out before the teen was sentenced.

Judge Andrew Shaw granted the application as the defendant was "extremely young" but in adjourning the sentence until September 20, issued a warning.

Judge Andrew Shaw (Image: Newsquest) Judge Shaw said: "The fact I've ordered this report and re-admitted you to bail shouldn't be taken by you to mean the court has decided how you will be sentenced, we've not".

Judge Shaw added that "all options", including immediate detention in a Young Offenders' Institution were open.

Stephen Spence appeared for the prosecution

Emergency services attended and the road was closed for nearly seven hours following the crash.

Scene of crash on Colman Road, Norwich (Image: Newsquest) Mrs Machin was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital by ambulance before being transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

She died in hospital two days later.

The dog, Rosie, was unharmed.

In a tribute issued by her husband Rob and her teenage son Joe following Mrs Machin's death they said she "shone with life and kindness".

Lucy Machin (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

They said: "We were lucky enough to have Lucy in our lives for these past 23 years.

"Lucy fought Rheumatoid Arthritis for much of her adult life and yet she always shone with life and kindness.

"She gave so much, through her work with the Samaritans, Cancer Research and more recently as a counsellor.

"We feel blessed to have shared so much precious time with Lucy.

"She is so missed by her family, her friends in Great Yarmouth, London and Norwich and the people she reached out to help.

"Lucy will stay with us all.

"We will miss her, we will always love her and we know she will be warm, floating above us and helping us to move on."