Uninsured driver left two vulnerable children without their mum after mowing her down during police chase
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An uninsured driver left two vulnerable children without their mother after he mowed her down while fleeing police.
Daniel Raeburn did not even have a licence when he ploughed into charity fundraiser Susan Shaw in the Boxing Day hit-and-run.
The mum-of-two suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene.
Raeburn, 31, has a string of previous motoring convictions including driving without a licence, no insurance and failing to stop after an accident, reports the Manchester Evening News.
(Image: Accrington Observer/MEN Media)
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He fled the scene of the fatal crash before dumping his Vauxhall Corsa nearby.
He was arrested five days later following a nationwide manhunt.
Raeburn has now pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, driving without a licence and no insurance following the smash in Rishton, Lancashire.
(Image: Accrington Observer/MEN Media)
(Image: Accrington Observer/MEN Media)
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He faces up to 14 years behind bars.
Mum Susan, of Rishton, cared for her daughter Leanne, 27, and son Adam, 25, who both have severe epilepsy.
Speaking after the guilty plea Susan’s mum Annette Shaw told how her daughter’s death had left "two beautiful, vulnerable children without a mother and a carer".
Mrs Shaw added: “While there is some relief at the decision taken by the defendant to take responsibility for his actions today and plead guilty, nothing can undo what has happened or help mend the huge impact on mine and the rest of the family’s lives and take away our pain.
(Image: Accrington Observer/MEN Media)
“The whole family remains traumatised by Susan’s death.
“As a family, we believe we have been given a life sentence and that my daughter has been taken away too early and her two beautiful, vulnerable children are now left without a mother and a carer.
“Susan was a much loved and cherished family member, and a well-loved member of the community.
“She was always generous with her time, with both friends and strangers alike. It is heartbreaking what has happened to her. She did not deserve it.”
Burnley Crown Court heard that Raeburn had written a letter apologising to Susan’s family.
(Image: Accrington Observer/MEN Media)
Defence barrister Mark Stuart said: “[Raeburn] has already given a letter which really is just an apology to the family of the deceased.
“It doesn’t set out to mitigate his own position because that can’t be done. The only mitigation is his guilty plea.”
Judge Beverley Lunt warned Raeburn he faced a ‘very substantial period of imprisonment’.
Raeburn, of Accrington, will be sentenced on February 21.