A LORRY driver has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a father-of-two by careless driving.

Grzegorz Barcicki, aged 34, of Jana, Poland, admitted causing the death of Peter Skupien by driving on the A53 at Quarnford, near Leek, without due care and attention on December 16 last year.

Mr Skupien, of Morley Street, Leek, died after his Ford Mondeo was in collision with a vehicle being driven by the defendant.

The 41-year-old, who worked at Morrisons in Newcastle Road, Leek, was on his way to pick up his children from school at the time of the crash.

Barcicki entered his plea at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday. An application for bail was refused by Judge Granville Styler due to substantial grounds Barcicki may fail to surrender to bail. The judge adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report. Sentence will take place on Monday, March 29.

Last week, Mr Skupien's wife of 11 years, Sam, and their two children, Molly and Jack, issued a thank you to the friends, family and neighbours who have helped them through the tragedy.

A total of £255 has been made in donations to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in memory of the warehouse operative.

The money will be split between children's ward 12B and the ward 15 eye clinic.

A statement from the family said: "Thank you to everyone who has made donations, and thank you also to everyone who has sent cards, kinds words and thoughts."

Hundreds of people gathered early in the new year to pay their final respects to the "hands-on" dad, who shared his love of the Beatles with Molly and his passion for Batman with Jack.

Mrs Skupien, who met her future husband when they both worked at Britannia Building Society in 1988, told the congregation: "His upbeat and positive personality always made me feel part of his magic.

"Jack wants his Dad to come back because he wants to give him a big hug and kiss."

John Quinn, store manager at Morrisons, said Mr Skupien was sadly missed. He said: "He served with the company for 10 years as a warehouse operator and was a much-valued member of the team. He was always friendly and polite, and was very highly thought of by all his colleagues."