Driver killed friends

Farhad Latef, 28, was driving a Mercedes 19TE on the westbound carriageway of the M4 near High Cross, Junction 27, when he lost control of the vehicle in wet conditions on January 18.

Latef, a Kurdish asylum- seeker who had been living in Penylan Road, Roath, Cardiff, admitted causing the deaths by dangerous driving of Serwan Mustapha, believed to be in his twenties, and Hassi Salar, 18, his fellow countrymen, who had also been seeking asylum. They, too, had been living in the Cardiff area.

Neither victim was wearing a seatbelt.

At Newport crown court yesterday Latef was warned by Judge Stephen Hopkins, QC: "It is inevitable that when you appear again a prison sentence will be passed upon you."

A police car had been following the Mercedes along the A40 and the car had travelled at speeds of between 90mph and 100mph before the accident.

The Mercedes later overtook a Land Rover on the M4 when it swerved and plunged down an embankment.

Some of the tyres on the Mercedes were worn below the legal limit. The three were thought to be returning from Birmingham after an unsuccessful attempt to sell the Mercedes.

Jeremy Jenkins, mitigating, said Latef returned to Wales from Iraq last week, following a visit to the families of the two victims, who were staying at a Cardiff hostel.

Mr Jenkins said: "He has come back today, showing strength of character, and has given these pleas unequivocally."

He said Latef had become depressed and would be unable to take up a degree course in the new year.

Judge Hopkins adjourned sentence until December 22 for pre-sentence and psychiatric reports to be prepared.

He told Latef: "Your proper and courageous decision to return to the UK in the last few days, I think, allows me to take the risk in this case of allowing you bail."

Latef was released on bail with conditions not to drive a motor vehicle or apply for a passport or any other travel document. He is also required to report daily to his local police station.