Man pleads 
guilty over 
deaths of 
tandem 
couple

Nicky Lovell, 38, entered guilty pleas to causing the deaths of “perfect couple” Ross Simons, 34, and his wife Clare, 30, by dangerous driving.

Lovell, of Oldland Common, South Gloucestershire, admitted the two charges and one of driving while disqualified at Bristol Crown Court yesterday.

Louise Cox, 35, who owned the Citroen Picasso driven by Lovell, also appeared at the court to admit a charge of perverting the course of justice by providing police with false details about who had been driving her vehicle.

Mr and Mrs Simons – described as “two peas in a pod” – died at the scene of the crash on Lower Hanham Road, Bristol, on January 27.

The couple, from Staple Hill, Bristol, were killed less than 24 hours after celebrating the news they had been accepted for fertility treatment to start a family.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Avon and Somerset Police said officers had indicated for Lovell to pull over as he was driving “at speed” along the street.

But Lovell sped off instead and officers were forced to follow the Citroen Picasso, which struck another vehicle moments later.

It then collided with Mr and Mrs Simons’ tandem, causing them fatal injuries. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating the collision.

Judge Neil Ford QC adjourned the case for sentencing on May 22 at Bristol Crown Court, in order for a pre-sentence report to be prepared on Cox.