A FORMER footballer has admitted his careless driving caused the deaths of a ‘devoted’ married couple in a horror HGV pile-up.

Steven Bennett, from Grimethorpe, told a Chester Crown Court plea hearing he was responsible for the fatal smash near Warrington last September.

Angela Wong, 56, was pronounced dead at the scene and Richard Wong, 62, died in hospital three days later, while five others suffered injuries in the crash.

The 28-year-old appeared at Chester Crown Court last Friday where he denied two charges of causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the incident.

However, he admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving.

The ex-Red, who made a handful of first team appearances during their 2010/11 Championship season, will now stand trial in August next year.