A MAN has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a Kidderminster teenager by dangerous driving in a crash on the outskirts of Bewdley.

James Birch, aged 22, of Stanbrook Road, Tenbury Wells, who also admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance, was remanded in custody at Worcester Crown Court for sentence on Monday, June 28.

The charge alleges that he caused the death of 16-year-old Gavin Connelly, of Jubilee Drive North, Foley Park, Kidderminster, in an accident on the A456 near the Royal Forester inn at Callow Hill, near Bewdley, on Friday, March 12.

Gavin, who would have been 17 four days after the crash, was one of four people thrown out of a Ford Escort after a collision with three other vehicles. The others were not seriously hurt.

Ecstasy

Andrew Lockhart, prosecuting, said Birch had passed a roadside breath test but subsequent analysis of his blood showed traces of cannabis and ecstasy.

Judge David Matthews, who ordered a pre-sentence report, was told that Birch had already pleaded guilty at Kidderminster magistrates court to the theft of £3,500 worth of roof slates.