A man who was charged with killing a mother-of-four by striking her with a vehicle on a rural estate has admitted to a reduced charge of manslaughter.
James Kenneth Austin was first accused of murdering the 37-year-old woman and has remained in detention following the event.
He confessed to the charge of manslaughter today in the Supreme Court of Tasmania, located in Hobart.
Austin admitted driving a car at Ms Purton, and being negligent and failing to take reasonable precautions to avoid danger to human life.
No further details were aired in court.
“I hope my daughter haunts you, you scum,” Purton’s mother yelled out in court at the conclusion of proceedings.
Austin, who was remanded in custody, will return to court on June 30 for sentencing submissions.
In a social media post shortly after Ms Purton’s death, her father Scott Purton said she would always be loved.
“My heart and my family’s hearts have been ripped apart,” he wrote.
“To my grandkids, words cannot express how your mum loved U (sic) all.”
A white Holden Commodore was towed from the property during initial police investigations.
