A MAN has been warned to brace himself for a lengthy prison sentence after he admitted killing a teenager in a motorbike smash.

Matthew Buckworth, 34, denied murder but admitted the manslaughter of Sonny Stephenson, who died in a crash in Guisborough, in August.

The 17-year-old’s family gasped in the public gallery at Teesside Crown Court when Buckworth entered his pleas via a live video-link from Durham Prison yesterday.

Buckworth wept after he admitted the offence, and a charge of attempting to assault another youth who was riding on the bike with Sonny.

The Northern Echo:

CRASH: The collision happened at the junction of Bolkow Street and Holymead Drive. Picture: JOANNA MORRIS

It was understood Buckworth threw a spade at the pair, then they came off the motorbike and ended up in a ditch dug by road workers.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, told Buckworth he will be sentenced on January 26 after a report is prepared by a probation officer.

He told the defendant: “You appreciate and will have been advised that only a prison sentence, and a lengthy prison sentence, will be passed by me.”

Buckworth, of Charlton’s Garth, Guisborough, was remanded in custody.

Emergency services were called to Bolckow Street at around 9.15pm on August 27 following reports of a crash involving a motorcyclist.

The road was taped off for a number of hours while police investigated the scene.

The teenager’s 15-year-old pillion passenger was treated for minor injuries at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough before he was released.

An inquest into Sonny’s death was adjourned until the completion of criminal matters. A date is now likely to be set in the New Year.

In November, when Buckworth appeared in court and denied a charge of murder, Judge Bourne-Arton apologised because of the length of time it was likely to take to get the case to trial.

He said: “I’m sorry it’s going to take some time before this matter comes to trial.

“But I’ve got to do right by all sides . . . to make sure everybody has a fair crack of the whip.

“I know you would want it sooner rather than later but I’m afraid that’s the position.”

A trial had been pencilled in for May but will not now be necessary following Buckworth’s guilty pleas.