A BOYFRIEND accused of killing his partner in a high-speed crash during a jealous rage told a court how he did not learn about her death until five weeks later.

Mark Lepine, 29, flipped after he saw Teresa Clark, 26, dancing with another man in Gateshead's Baja Beach Club.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Mr Lepine drove the mother-of-three, together with her sister and two cousins, towards home at 125mph until the crash on the 40mph Jesmond Road, in Newcastle.

The former bus driver told the court he was in a coma for two weeks due to a clot on the brain, and did not find out she had died until five weeks after the crash in October last year.

He said he could not remember anything leading up to the crash or the crash itself.

Mr Lepine is said to have lost control of his Ford Sierra 4x4 while trying to negotiate a bend, and hit a lamppost.

Miss Clarke died after she received severe pelvic injuries. Her sister, Gail, suffered serious leg injuries.

The girls' cousin and front seat passenger, Steven Lucas, suffered serious injuries. Another cousin, Daniel Myers, suffered minor injuries.

Mr Lepine, of Weatherall Terrace, Walker, Newcastle, denies causing death by dangerous driving.

The trial continues.