A 39-year-old chef killed a mother of four and her dog when he jumped a red light in his BMW sports car, a court heard.

Daniel Ayton, of Pellbrook Road, Lewes, killed Edna Linton, 49, at the pedestrian crossing on the A270 Lewes Road, by Moulsecoomb Way, Brighton, just metres from her home.

Yesterday Mrs Linton's family were in court to hear Ayton first plead not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving then change his plea and admit the charge. Judge Richard Kemp told him he will face a jail term when he returns to court for sentencing on September 14.

Mrs Linton's husband, Robert, is angry Ayton did not admit his guilt in February 2005 when the accident happened, to save him and other relatives months of pain.

Speaking after the hearing at Hove Crown Court, Mr Linton said: "We've just wanted to get on with our lives and get on with the grieving process but we haven't been able to because all the time he has been trying to squirm out of it. He has not even apologised for it."

A jury had already been sworn in yesterday and a number of witnesses had CE been ordered to attend the trial, which was due to last until Thursday.

The court heard how Ayton, a former head chef at the Old Ship Hotel, King's Road, had been travelling north on Lewes Road at about 6.30pm on February 21, 2005, when the accident happened.

The conditions had been treacherous, with snow and ice on the road, according to Karen Holt, prosecuting.

Witnesses saw Ayton undertake a number of cars at speed while travelling in the left hand lane in his black BMW Z3.

He approached the pedestrian crossing where a van had already stopped in the middle lane at red lights to let Mrs Linton cross.

Instead of slowing down, Ayton kept going and, as Mrs Linton stepped out past the van, he hit her and the family dog, Alfie.

Ayton had no chance of stopping before he hit the pair, the court heard, and despite receiving first aid at the scene Mrs Linton died of "massive head injuries".

The dog was also killed.

Her twin girls, then aged 16, were among the first on the scene after hearing sirens from their home in Moulsecoomb Way.

Anthony Loader, Ayton's lawyer, told the court that after examining CCTV and other information, he had advised his client to change his plea.

Mrs Holt said: "The driver made no attempt to slow down. The evidence shows the lights were red when the defendant approached and proceeded to go through them.

"The car was being driven fast, certainly for the road conditions.

The driving was dangerous."

Mrs Linton was originally from Dundee and moved first to London and then Brighton. She and her husband emigrated to Australia but returned to be closer to their family not long before the accident happened.

Mr Linton, a construction worker, said: "She loved life and she loved people. It's only because the family has pulled together and supported each other that we've been able to get through it all."