A HEARTBROKEN family have urged young drivers to be more careful after a teenager was locked up yesterday for a crash that killed a schoolgirl.

Lee Leonard, 18, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in a young offenders' institution after he crashed his high-powered car into a tree on May 7 last year, killing 12-year-old Naomi Ashman.

Leonard, who was 17 at the time, had passed his driving test eight days. Naomi, of Allen Grove, Stokesley, North Yorkshire, was a rear seat passenger.

Yesterday, her family described the happy and caring daughter they had lost.

They said: "Not having Naomi with us any more is as deeply sad as it ever could be.

"She was so happy, so caring, so loving and so sensitive and brought laughter wherever she was.

"We would urge all young drivers to think what they are doing and drive safely."

The family thanked passers-by who stopped after the accident, the emergency services and their neighbours and friends.

Judge Peter Armstrong described the case as tragic and said only a custodial sentence could be given. He also banned Leonard from driving for four years.

Leonard, of Marton Moor Road, Nunthorpe, Teesside, denied causing the youngster's death by dangerous driving, but was found guilty at Teesside Crown Court.

The court heard the modern apprentice had overtaken his friend's car and had been showing off before he lost control of his vehicle on the B1257 at Clay Bank, near Great Broughton, North Yorkshire.

A friend of Naomi's suffered a fractured pelvis.

Leonard, of previous good character, was told he would have to take an extended driving test after his ban ended.

His barrister, Stephen Ashurst, said the teenager had been traumatised by what had happened and has shown deep remorse.