

Robert Booth, 64, was warned to expect a jail sentence "measured in years" after changing his plea to guilty on the second day of his trial at Warwick Crown Court.

Booth, of Brockley Street, Town End Farm, Sunderland, had previously denied causing the death of Priyanka Bhogal, whose parents' Vauxhall Zafira was "punted" into a concrete barrier beside the M6.


Priyanka, from Coventry, suffered a fatal head injury when Booth's heavy goods vehicle ploughed into the Zafira, which had slowed down with its hazard lights flashing due to a build-up of traffic.

priyanka bhogal

Priyanka was killed on her way home from a family party

Booth's trial heard that he was driving at 55mph moments before the crash despite "obvious" overhead gantry signs warning of a problem ahead.


Granting Booth bail until sentence is passed on February 25, Judge Sylvia De Bertodano told the haulier: "You have made a decision which I think everyone, probably including yourself, is very relieved you have made at this stage.

"Please don't be under any illusions.


Booth's trial heard that Priyanka was travelling in the rear-most nearside seat of the Zafira, being driven by her mother, Baljit, from a family party in Walsall to their home.

The fatal impact occurred at around 12.25am, shortly after Mrs Bhogal switched on her hazard lights because of the tailback ahead.

Booth had submitted that he night have fallen asleep due to obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, rather than tiredness, in the run-up to the crash.

But the haulier, who is of previous good character, admitted his guilt after the judge granted him time to discuss the case with his barrister.