Ian Fitzgerald said he had checked in all directions before proceeding

Ian Fitzgerald, 29, a trainee paramedic, was driving through red lights at a busy junction near Newbury last October, when he collided with a Peugeot 206 driven by 40-year-old Rosemary Fenney.

The schoolteacher, who had right of way, died instantly of injuries to her head and chest.

Mr Fitzgerald, who denies causing death by dangerous driving, told Reading Crown Court: "I believe I have a degree of blame."

But Mr Fitzgerald, of Trowbridge, Wiltshire, insisted Mrs Fenney had been travelling over the speed limit.

The prosecution suggested he "did not look very carefully".

The court heard, he joined Berkshire Ambulance Service in March 2002 and had always wanted to work for the emergency services.

Rosemary Fenney died instantly in the crash

During his training he was told to treat red lights as give-way junctions and he insisted he had checked all directions to ensure his route was clear.

Mr Fitzgerald denied claims his vehicle had been seen weaving at speeds up to 60mph through the town and said he was in second gear travelling at 20 to 25 mph across the junction.

A forensic accident expert said the Mercedes Sprinter Ambulance must have been travelling "significantly faster" than the Peugeot due to the metal and tyre marks.

The expert suggested the vehicle was more likely going at 35mph at impact.

But said it was unlikely it was travelling at 50mph.

The trial continues.