A hit and run driver who fled abroad after a horrific road accident that claimed the life of a promising sportsman today faced justice..

Lukasz Banasik, 26, left Gavin Hustler-Brown, a Southampton student, lying in the road and then ditched his car before fleeing to his native Poland.

But after a 30 month hunt, he appeared at the city crown court and admitted causing his death by dangerous driving in Bevois Valley Road.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident, failing to report one and having no licence or insurance when he drove the Vauxhall Astra.

Dressed in a white T shirt, a grey jacket and blue jeans, Banasik had proceedings translated into the Polish language during the 20 minute hearing.

Judge Derwin Hope then remanded him in custody pending sentence in February.

With the public gallery crammed with relatives and friends of the victim, Andy Houston, defending said: "He apologises for what has happened, not that it will be of any consolation for them, I'm sure.

"But pleading guilty does require an element of courage on behalf of any young man knowing the sort of sentence passed in these cases."

After the hearing, prosecutor James Kellam said Banasik should not have been driving that night, April 28, 2007. He did not hold a licence or insurance.

"He chose to purchase a car for £100 and then drove it. When he hit Gavin, he was driving above the speed limit.

"His actions following the collision were cowardly and deplorable. Instead of helping Gavin, he drove off at speed through traffic lights and abandoned the car in a nearby side street. The next morning he got a coach back to Poland."

The Crown Prosecution Service, he said, had worked extremely hard alongside Hampshire Police to bring Banasik back to the UK.

The execution of a European arrest warrant meant he finally had to face justice. Only now has he owned up to killing Gavin.

"It has been a long and difficult process for Gavin's family. We are pleased that his guilty plea has spared them the ordeal of a full trial. We hope they are now able to move forward."

Mr Hustler-Brown, a promising international diver, died from serious head injuries as he walked near the Hobbit pub.

Originally from Bradford, he was a first year criminology student at university in Southampton and was the former diving partner of Southampton's 2008 Bejing Olympic diver Blake Aldridge.