A BOY has admitted causing death by dangerous driving after crashing a stolen car, killing a teenage passenger.

The 14-year-old appeared at Teesside Crown Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to the charge.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated vehicle taking.

On January 16, 13-year-old Liam Richardson suffered multiple injuries when the stolen silver Vauxhall Astra he was travelling in careered out of control in the village of West Cornforth, County Durham.

The car travelled 65ft through the air before overturning and crashing through the boundary fence of a scrapyard.

The three other occupants of the car, the 14-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, and two boys aged 16 and 13, fled. They were later traced and questioned by police before the 14-year old, who comes from Ferryhill, County Durham, was charged.

Judge David Bryant decided the case should be referred back to the justices at the youth court for the defendant to be sentenced at a later date.

He told the teenager: "I am committing you back to youth court for sentence because, in this new cast, it is the proper place for someone of your age and I am doing what the law requires of me."

At the time of the tragedy Liam Richardson lived with his mother Angela, stepfather Gary and younger brother Ben in Raby Road, Ferryhill.