A MAN whose partner died when he lost control of his sports car on a bend has narrowly escaped being disqualified from driving.

Shirley Sheeran, 45, of Nantwich Road, died when her partner, David Anthony Park, crashed his Lotus Elise through a fence on the A530, Northwich Magistrates' Court heard on Monday.

Park, of St Gabriel's Court, Alsager, was fined £800 and had nine points put on his driving licence after admitting driving without due care and attention.

Mairead Neeson, prosecuting, told the court how the 40-year-old lost control of the car in April this year.

She said the car went down an embankment and landed in a field. Mrs Sheeran, who had not been wearing a seat belt, suffered multiple injuries and is thought to have died at the scene.

Simon Leech, defending, said people in the area had complained about the bend in the past because they felt it was unsafe.

But he said Park admitted his guilt at the earliest opportunity and had co-operated fully with the police.

Mr Leech said he and Mrs Sheeran had been in a relationship for 12 months and were planning their future together.

He said: "He's a very responsible, mature individual. It's quite apparent that the past six months have been the most remarkable ordeal for him.

"It has been horrendous and very salutary indeed. It has been a tragedy of the utmost proportions."

He said Park drove more than 30,000 miles a year and would not be able to do his job if he was disqualified from driving.

Chairman of the bench Robert Tomlinson said: "This has been a tragic incident which you must battle with for the rest of your life."

But he said the bench had taken into account the fact that Mrs Sheeran had not been wearing a seatbelt at the time.

rbabington@guardiangrp.co.uk