Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
National
Ethan James

Man admits manslaughter of mother-of-four

A man has admitted a mother-of-four's manslaughter by driving into her on a rural property. (Ethan James/AAP PHOTOS)

A man accused of murdering a mother-of-four by hitting her with a car on a rural property has pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Jacqui Purton, who has also used the last name Bergman, died in March 2023 at Campania, about 35km northeast of Hobart.

James Kenneth Austin was initially charged with murdering the 37-year-old and has been in custody since the incident.

On Tuesday he pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the Supreme Court of Tasmania in Hobart.

Holden Commodore at the homicide scene (file)
A white Holden Commodore was towed from the property during initial police investigations. (Ethan James/AAP PHOTOS)

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," Ms 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.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.