A teenager who killed the “loveliest” dad in a County Durham crash has been told to arrive at court "ready to go to prison”.
The then-17-year-old had performed a "highly dangerous” overtaking manoeuvre “at excessive speeds” before four cars collided on Spring Road, in Murton.
But at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Amanda Rippon was forced to push back the sentencing due to the absence of a report from a mental health team.
She noted how Appleton has difficulty understanding spoken word and, following the incident, has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and expressed suicidal thoughts.
Judge Rippon told the now 19-year-old that he would certainly be getting a prison sentence but she needs to decide whether this can be suspended.
“I might not be able to suspend [the sentence] so you have to come on Thursday ready to go to prison,” she said.
Appleton was bailed to return to the same court on Thursday (October 15).
Andrew Robson and his mother Julie (Image: CONTRIBUTOR)
Judge Rippon said she had restricted the members of the public who could attend the courtroom this morning due to an incident shortly before the hearing.
She said: “I can’t begin to understand the pain of the loss of a loved one. But this defendant has expressed genuine remorse and is genuinely sorry, by the assessment of the probation.”
Addressing the court, the judge apologised that she could not go ahead with sentencing, saying: “I am extremely sorry that this is the position I have taken.
“If I could have properly proceeded today, I would."
Teesside Crown Court previously heard how Appleton, of Coach Lane in Hazlerigg, Newcastle, was driving “in excess of 70mph and performed an overtaking manoeuvre of more than one vehicle” at the time of the crash.
Appleton, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving in August, has no previous convictions.
The death of Andrew, dad to four-year-old Ayla, left his mother Julie McDonald and partner Danielle devastated.
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Julie described Andrew, from Cramlington, as the "loveliest person”: “He would help anyone and he was obsessed with cars and motorbikes. He was very very popular too.
“He was the loveliest looking man and I always used to say: ‘How have I given birth to the most handsome man ever?’
She previously said no sentence “will ever be long enough”, adding: “All I have ever looked for is some sort of remorse. I have never gotten it.”