Tandem deaths crash driver jailed for 10.5 years
Nicholas Lovell pleaded guilty to causing the deaths of Ross and Clare Simons by dangerous driving.
Family statement ahead of tandem couple's funeral
Ross and Clare Simons were killed when their tandem bike collided with a car in Hanham, Bristol. Their joint funeral takes place today.
Vigil to remember couple killed on their tandem
A vigil to remember a couple who were knocked off their tandem near Bristol was held today, a week after their deaths.
Live updates
Police statement on tandem deaths
Avon and Somerset Police have issued a statement following today's court case. Nicholas Lovell pleaded guilty to causing the death by dangerous driving of Ross and Clare Simons in a hit and run in Hanham near Bristol.
His partner Louise Cox has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.
– Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Williams, Avon and Somerset PoliceOn Sunday January 27 of this year, Clare and Ross Simons needlessly lost their lives following a fatal collision on Hanham High Street.This collision was caused by Nicholas Lovell, a disqualified driver who got behind the wheel of the car and drove at speed, before losing control and striking the couple while they cycled.Nicholas Lovell then ran away from the scene in a bid to escape, leaving behind Louise Cox who then deliberately and callously set out to mislead police at the scene.
The statement continues:
– Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Williams, Avon and Somerset PoliceThe pleas entered today by both Nicholas Lovell and Louise Cox reflect that both have taken some responsibility for the deaths of Ross and Clare. While these pleas will never bring Ross and Clare back, I hope they go some way to providing comfort for their families.We now await sentencing on May 22.
PICTURE: Press at tandem hit and run court case
Advertisement
Bike death pair to be sentenced within month
Nicholas Lovell and Louise Cox will both be sentence within four weeks.
The public gallery was packed with the victims' family and friends as well as supporters of the pair who entered guilty pleas.
Lovell pleads guilty to killing tandem bike couple
Nicholas Lovell has pleaded guilty to the death by dangerous driving of husband and wife Ross and Clare Simons who were killed when they were knocked off their tandem bicycle in a hit and run in Hanham near Bristol in January.
His partner Louise Cox has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.
Tandem deaths: man due in court
A man will appear in court today in connection with the deaths of two cyclists in Hanham near Bristol three months ago.
Nicholas Lovell has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Husband and wife Ross and Claire Simmons died when their tandem bike was hit by a car.
Woman appears in court
Louise Cox, from Oldland Common, is accused of perverting the course of justice and appeared before North Avon Magistrates.
Advertisement
Woman in court
A woman has appeared in court charged over with the deaths of a couple who were knocked off their tandem bicycle near Bristol.
Ross and Clare Simons were killed in the alleged hit and run in Hanham in Jan.
Louise Cox from Oldland Common is accused of perverting the course of justice.
Woman due in court in connection with tandem deaths
A woman is due in court, charged in connection with the deaths of a couple who were knocked off their tandem bike near Bristol.
Ross and Clare Simons were killed in the alleged hit and run in Hanham in January.
Louise Cox from Oldland Common is accused of perverting the course of justice and will appear before North Avon Magistrates later.
Nicholas Lovell has already been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
Further charges for Hanham tandem deaths
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised Avon and Somerset Police to charge Louise Cox, 35, from Oldland Common, South Gloucestershire, with perverting the course of justice in connection with the deaths of Ross and Clare Simons following an incident in Hanham last month.
– Allie Longhorn, CPS Senior Crown ProsecutorWe have worked closely with Avon and Somerset police since this tragic incident. Following their extensive investigation I have now decided that there is sufficient evidence to charge Louise Cox with perverting the course of justice.
Ms Cox gave the police a false account at the scene of who was driving the vehicle at the time of the collision.
38-year-old Nicky Lovell was charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving on 29 January.
He was also charged with driving while disqualified; driving without third party insurance; and driving a vehicle and failing to stop after a road accident.
Ross and Clare Simons died at the scene after their tandem bicycle was in a collision with a car on Sunday 27 January.
Louise Cox will appear at North Avon Magistrates Court on Monday.
FULL REPORT: Funeral of couple killed riding a tandem
The funeral has taken place of a couple who were killed when their tandem bicycle was hit by a car. Ross and Clare Simons died instantly when they were struck at Hanham near Bristol three weeks ago.
Their coffins were brought in a single hearse at today's service at Westerleigh Crematorium. The family asked mourners to wear bright colours. Robert Murphy reports.