A LORRY driver wept in the dock as he admitted causing the death of St Helens motorcyclist Mick Stockton.

Andrew Patton, aged 32, of Holyoake Road, Worsley, pleaded guilty to the charge of careless driving at Bolton Crown Court.

Grandfather Mr Stockton, aged 59, was riding a Honda motorcycle in Bradford Street, Bolton, on the morning of September 5 last year when he was hit by an HGV tipper truck, driven by Patton.

The accident left the motorcyclist pinned under the lorry and he died after being taken to Salford Royal Infirmary.

He was on his way to work as a joiner at the time of the collision.

In a statement issued through police last year, Mr Stockton's family said: “Mick was a loving husband, father and grandfather who was born and brought up in the St Helens area.

“He was the only boy in a family of five children.

“Mick had a life-long interest in pigeons, was a successful breeder and racer and was an active member of Burtonwood Homing Society.”

In a notice published in the Star ahead of his funeral in September the family described him as a beloved husband of Kate, devoted father of Nikki and Michael, and cherished grandfather of Conah, Daisey, Jaedon and Harrison.

They added he was also a dearly loved son, brother and uncle.

In court Judge Elliot Knopf adjourned sentencing until February 14 to allow reports to be prepared, and made an interim order banning Patton from driving.

He told Patton: “You have to understand, so far as sentence is concerned, all options will be kept open.”

Patton was granted unconditional bai