A MAN has pleaded guilty to stealing a car and causing the death of a woman in a fatal west Dorset crash.

Shane Bovey, 40, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court today (Thursday, March 16) via video link from Winchester Prison.

He spoke only to confirm his name and pleaded guilty to two charges against him, including causing the death of 48-year-old Nicole Bowden in Main Road, Mosterton, on February 8.

Bovey, of Monmouth Road, Yeovil, also pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking at the short court hearing this afternoon.

Defending Bovey, Patrick Mason said that the facts of the dangerous driving are 'accepted'.

Bovey, who was remanded in custody, is due to be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday, May 2. 

Mrs Bowden, formerly Fox, was struck by a car whilst walking in the small west Dorset village with two other people. 

She was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol where she passed away the following day, on February 9.

A pathologist ruled the cause of Mrs Bowden's death as injuries to her leg and trunk and her inquest was adjourned for a pre-inquest review to be heard in September.

The crash - which closed the main A3066 road through the village for several hours - also seriously injured a woman, aged in her 20s, and a child.

A fundraiser for the victims of the crash has raised more than £30,000.