A 19-year-old man has today pleaded guilty to causing the death of a 16-year-old girl in a traffic collision earlier this year.

Lewis Young, 19, of no fixed abode but from Havant, this morning appeared before Portsmouth Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to causing the death by dangerous driving of Payton Sparks and causing serious injury by dangerous driving to a 14-year-old boy passenger.

He also pleaded guilty to the charges of aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified, driving whilst uninsured and making off without paying for petrol.

Young was charged following the collision which occurred when the Vauxhall Tigra he was driving came off the road and struck a building, part of Staunton Country Park premises, at 10.42pm on Saturday, May 25.

Young was remanded in custody until Friday, October 4, where he will appear before Portsmouth Crown Court for sentencing.

Speaking after the hearing, senior investigating officer for the Roads Death Investigation Team, Sergeant Rob Heard, said: “After taking the vehicle, Lewis Young set out on a path of action which was bound to end in disaster – and devastatingly, it did.

“It not only caused the tragic and untimely death of a 16-year-old girl but also seriously injured a 14-year-old boy passenger in the vehicle. “Our thoughts remain with Payton’s family.”