A DRIVER accused of killing Farnworth man Joss McCaughtrie will not face a manslaughter trial after he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

At Manchester Crown Court yesterday Judge Alan Conrad was told by the prosecution that it was not in the public interest to proceed with the manslaughter case against 22-year-old Shaun Ward after he pleaded not guilty to committing the offence.

Instead, he is due to be sentenced for causing 26-year-old Mr McCaughtrie's death by dangerous driving and a number of other offences, in September at the conclusion of co-accused, Shannon Kay's trial.

Mr McCaughtrie, died following a collision in Tennyson Road, Farnworth.

At 8.15am on March 2, police were called to the street after reports of a collision between pedestrian Mr McCaughtrie and a dark grey VW Golf.

The car was then abandoned and the occupants fled.

Yesterday Ward, of no fixed address, appeared in court via a video link from Forest Bank prison to enter pleas on a number of charges.

Ward admitted possessing a machete, a metal bar and a knife but pleaded not guilty to having a baseball bat and having no driving licence.

He also faced separate charges dating back to last year. He admitted supplying cocaine and heroin he pleaded not guilty to supplying cannabis.

He denied a count of being in possession of cocaine as well as an instance of fraud.

Ward was then remanded in custody to await sentencing.

Shannon Kay, 24, of Chestnut Avenue, Crewe, also faces charges in relation to Mr McCaughtrie's death.

It is alleged that she refused to name Ward to investigators and lied to police with the intention of impeding his prosecution.

She did not enter a plea and has been granted bail to return to court for another hearing on July 31.

Kay is then due to have a trial in September, with Ward set to be sentenced after its conclusion.