A man who admits driving erratically around a town in a stolen car, claims he was not at the wheel when it struck and killed a teenager on playing fields.

Dean English is accused of hitting 15-year-old Ian Gourley as he drove a Ford Escort over the Pony Fields, off Eden Lane, Peterlee, County Durham, shortly before 8.30pm last November 19.

Ian, of Lakemore, Peterlee, who was sitting on a grassy bank with two friends, was confirmed dead from head injuries at hospital less than an hour later.

Giving evidence on the fourth day of his trial at Durham Crown Court, Mr English admitted driving the car at speed around Peterlee to impress several young passengers in the hours before the accident.

But he claimed he got out on the playing field, behind a British Legion Club, during the evening and one of the passengers then took over the driving.

He said he got out to hide some CDs he intended keeping from the car.

He told the court he was neither responsible for the death of Ian, nor the burning out of the car half-a-mile away in a ravine, a short time later.

Asked by prosecuting counsel Shaun Dodds why he told his girlfriend two days later that he "did it", Mr English said he had been under the impression he had inadvertently caused the injuries as he had driven over the fields earlier that evening.

But, when he later discovered the spot where the fatal accident took place, he realised he had only driven the car at the other side of the fields.

Mr Dodds said: "It's twaddle, absolute nonsense. You were there showing off to those youths, you drove onto that field.

"There were three children there. You saw them, you clipped one of them and you continued over the field, and continued the manner of driving like you had before.

"You were there when the car was burned out."

Mr English replied: "That's not correct".

Twenty-two-year-old Mr English, of Basingstoke Road, Peterlee, denies causing death by dangerous driving and arson.

The jury is expected to retire to consider its verdicts tomorrow.