A man has admitted causing the death of a popular landlady more than a year on since her death.

Jacob King, 29, appeared before Southampton Crown Court charged with causing the death of Teresa Grimes.

King, of Chessel Avenue, remained stony-faced in the dock as he pleaded to one count of causing death by dangerous driving.
Jacob King (Image: Newsquest)

Now, Teresa’s loved ones say they can finally look forward to receiving some closure.

Friend of 10 years Tina Giles is relieved the case is finally moving on.

She said: “It feels like it has taken forever but I am glad King has pleaded guilty.

“I did not want everyone to go through the trauma of it all again at trial.”

The 43-year-old worked with Teresa at West End Brewery, where she was the landlady.

It was on the pavement near the pub on West End High Street that Teresa, aged 53, was struck by King and sadly died.

At the time of the crash, on December 10, 2022, he had 73 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

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Tina said she still has not fully gotten over her grief and ‘feels lost’ without Teresa.

“Nothing is ever going to bring her back, but it is now about the closure”, she said.

Tina added: “He has been walking the streets a free man while Teresa’s family and friends have suffered.

“I still feel lost – I have good days and bad days, but there is always something that reminds me of Teresa.

“I no longer work at the pub anymore as it was too hard, but I stuck it out for over a year.

“I am not the same person now.”

Teresa GrimesTeresa Grimes (Image: Supplied)

Around 500 mourners gathered at Wessex Vale Crematorium for Teresa's funeral in January of last year.

Tributes poured in following her death, with her children describing her as ‘so witty and clever’.

Judge Nicholas Rowland adjourned sentencing until August 1 before telling King: “You know that a custodial sentence is inevitable in this case.”