THERE were gasps and cries in an Oxford court when a nurse admitted causing the death of three teenage boys and a motorist in a car crash.

Angela Dublin, of London Road, Headington told a packed courtroom at Oxford Crown Court last Friday she was responsible for the deaths of 13-year-olds Marshall Haynes, Liam Hastings and Josh Bartlett and motorist Howard Hillsdon in Oxford's Eastern Bypass crash.

Each time the 45-year-old nurse answered guilty to four charges of causing death by dangerous driving the court heard sobs from the gallery packed with relatives of those who lost their lives in the crash.

The case had been brought to court for case management but Dublin asked her defending solicitor Henry Charles before the hearing for the full indictment to be read so she could make her pleas.

Judge Julian Hall said: "No one who lives in Oxford could be ignorant of this terrible accident.

"Relatives who've been involved clearly should have this matter resolved as soon as possible.

"The sentencing judge will be satisfied by the concession made in relation to the pleas."

Dublin, supported by crutches, was led into the courtroom flanked by friends, relatives and police. She sat throughout the hearing and only spoke to enter her guilty pleas.

The court heard she was driving when her Citroen Xsara crashed on Oxford's Eastern Bypass on May 28.

Defending, Henry Charles, asked for a 12-week adjournment for medical papers and reports to be written on the physical and psychological health of Dublin and her son Anton, who also survived the crash.

Mr Charles said: "She's (Dublin) suffering severe injuries herself to the neck, fibula, tibula and abdomen. She is in the course of treatment that will continue for a while."

A plea for a three-month adjournment was rejected.

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports.

Judge Hall told the court he was surprised in papers submitted by Neil Moore, prosecuting, there were no criticisms of the number of people loaded into the Citroen Xsara.

He said: "I want to know how the prosecution will put its case because the accident reconstruction expert doesn't say anything about it. I'm slightly surprised there was no mention of this in the report."

Dublin, a nurse at the Radcliffe Infirmary, will return to court for sentencing on a date yet to be arranged but is expected to take place between April 3 and 10.

Tearful families spoke of their "difficult day" and expressed relief that the horrific tragedy will not be dragged through a lengthy trial, after leaving the courtroom.

Dublin was flanked by police officers as she entered the courtroom supported by crutches and left in a car waiting outside the courtroom wearing sunglasses and refusing to speak to reporters.

After the hearing, Howard Hillsdon's parents Graham and Julie were joined by their daughter Anna to make a statement to the press outside the court.

Howard's mother Julie said: "Life at the moment seems to be getting worse. Howard was such a vibrant character and living without him in our home seems more and more intolerable."

Anna Hillsdon said: "Today has been another difficult day for us."

Families of the three teenage boys and motorist killed in the crash were gathered by police and solicitors minutes before the court hearing to learn Dublin was to plead guilty.

Jane Barber, mother of crash victim Josh Bartlett, said she was relieved the families did not have to go through the ordeals of a trial.

She said: "Myself and Josh's father Tony are relieved she has put her hands up and all the children and families will not have it all dragged up again. But no penalties nothing will bring Josh back.

"The parents were all in a small office about five minutes before and we got told she was going to plead guilty. It was overwhelming.

"We are now just waiting to hear a date for the sentencing so we can put closure to this court case, so we can learn to come to terms in our own private way."

When Dublin left the court she was ushered to a waiting car by friends and relatives.

Her solicitor Geoff Owen read a statement outside the court from his client.

He said: "In the midst of this terrible tragedy Angela would like the bereaved families and those who have been injured to know they are in her thoughts and her prayers."

Inspector Steve Bridges, from Oxfordshire Roads Policing, said: "It's a development which we welcome for the families and everybody involved on both sides of this tragedy. It's going to assist the grieving process one stage further."

The father of crash survivor Aiden Wood, 14, of Normandy Crescent, Cowley, who lost an eye in the crash, said he did not blame Dublin for the tragedy.

Julian Wood said: "The good thing is now the kids do not have to go to court and if they had it would have brought back all the bad memories.

"It's very difficult because my lad is very good friends with them and maybe it would be different if I lost my son. But Aiden doesn't blame her, so nor do I."

Marshall Haynes's mother, Julie Parker, attended Oxford Crown Court but did not want to make a comment.