A DRINK DRIVER today admitted causing the death of popular teenager Xana Doyle in a high speed crash in Newport.
Sakhawat Ali, 23, was well over twice drink drive limit and had taken cocaine and cannabis at the time of the accident in Usk Way on January 9, a court heard today.
Ali, of Harrow Road, Newport, pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving as he appeared at Cardiff Crown Court.
He also pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated vehicle taking, namely a Toyota Avensis, which caused an accident and resulted in the death of Xana Doyle.
Meanwhile, his cousin Shabaz Ali, 21, pleaded guilty to one count of "aggravated allowing to be carried involving a fatal accident" on January 9.
Shabaz Ali, of Ribble Square, Bettws, Newport, was bailed to appear at a Newton hearing also known as a "trial of issue" in July.
The Newton hearing will seek to determine whether Shabaz pulled the handbrake from the back seat of the Toyota before the crash thereby contributing to the accident, the court heard.
Judge Neil Bidder QC told the court that it was "accepted there was excessive speed" in the case.
Judge Bidder said the driver was "well over twice" the drink drive limit.
Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe added the defendant had taken cocaine and cannabis.
Judge Bidder asked for more information on the quantity of drugs that he had taken.
The Newton hearing or "trial of issue" will be held before Judge Bidder.
Judge Bidder told the court today that as sentencing judge he would have to decide that issue.
The Newton hearing is set to take place over the course of three days between July 6 and 8.
Sakhawat Ali was remanded in custody until the Newton hearing.
Judge Bidder told the court the sentencing would take place on July 8.
Floral tributes were left at the scene of the accident in Usk Way and more than 800 people attended the funeral of the 19-year-old former Duffryn High School student in January.
In a tribute, her mum Emma O’Donoghue wrote that Xana was an "unusual name for a unique and beautiful girl".
Ms O’Donoghue said today: "No sentence will ever give me back my daughter or my children their sister, she is dearly missed and this terribly traumatic experience will remain with us for ever. I am pleased that Shaqwhat Ali has pleaded guilty, not that he could dispute any of the evidence presented.
"Xana was a beautiful, funny and loving girl and every day is a struggle to live on without her in our lives, we can only hope that justice is served and those responsible are held accountable."
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