TWO carjackers yesterday pleaded guilty to the killing of a father of three who was mown down by his own car outside Liverpool's John Lennon Airport.

The devastated widow of company director Michael Howard, 57, told the Daily Post last night of her relief that the family would be spared the trauma of sitting through a lengthy trial.

Former fashion model Elaine Howard, who had watched her husband's death moments after they had arrived at the airport to catch a holiday flight to Spain, was in court yesterday to see his killers face justice.

Dean Taylor, 17 and Craig Abbot, 22, admitted the manslaughter of Mr Howard, while a third man, Neil Dolan, 20, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal his Volvo car along with Abbott and Taylor.

Speaking at the family's detached home in Hesketh Bank, near Southport last night, Mrs Howard, 52, said: "We are absolutely totally devastated and we are still trying to come to terms with my husband's death.

"We're pleased that they have pleaded guilty because they were, and at least that has in some way prevented us having to go through the trauma of reliving the whole experience in court."

Mrs Howard said she did not wish to comment further until after her husband's killers were sentenced.

But she added: "This has been a terrible time for us.

"I am not a vengeful person but I am glad they have admitted it and I hope they are given the sentence they deserve. As a family, we will not be able to move on until after that."

Liverpool Crown Court judge Mr Justice Hughes told all three defendants they were facing custodial sentences.

He said: "You know perfectly well the kind of sentence I am going to have to impose for these offences."

The court heard how the couple were heading for a New Year break in Spain and were due to board the 6.40am flight to Malaga on January 6.

At around 5.30am Abbott, Taylor, and Dolan pulled up at the airport drop-off point in a Rover 216, planning to steal Mr Howard's Volvo estate.

Mr and Mrs Howard, from Hesketh Bank, near Southport, were about to collect a luggage trolley.

As Mr Howard, who was the director of a pharmaceutical company in Salford, turned to hand his wife a £1 coin, the thieves struck.

Charles Chruszcz, QC, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Howard tried to stop them.

He said the whole incident lasted around three seconds: "Dean Taylor arrived at the scene in the front passenger seat of a Rover driven by Craig Abbott and parked parallel to the Volvo owned by Mr Howard.

"Mr and Mrs Howard alighted and were discussing change for a trolley on the Liverpool Airport concourse when Dean Taylor got out of his car and into the Volvo.

"The keys were still in the car and the opportunity of taking the car was all too evident.

"Mr Howard tried to stop it taking place by crossing in front of the car.

"Craig Abbott started to move the Rover away so the Volvo could be driven away. Mr Howard was hit and unfortunately went underneath the Volvo."

Taylor, of no fixed address, was due to go on trial for Mr Howard's murder, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Abbott, of Carley Walk, Speke, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Taylor, Abbott, and Dolan, of Yeardon Walk, Speke, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

All three were remanded in custody until July 23.