TWO teenagers were yesterday locked up for their role in a car crash that claimed the life of their friend.

Ashley Walker, 14, of Penygarn, Trevethin, died when the stolen car he was travelling in crashed in Leigh Road, Pontypool, last May. His friends, David Prosser and Justin Robinson, suffered serious injuries.

Yesterday Prosser, of Upland Drive, Trevethin and Robinson, both 16, of College Road, Trevethin, were sentenced to eight months' youth custody after previously each admitting a charge of aggravated vehicle taking.

Prosecutor Ieuan Rhys told Newport crown court: "These two young men went out to socialise on the evening of May 25 last year.

"They met Ashley Walker and others on their way to Pontypool town centre."

The group drank alcohol and went to Pontypool Park where some of them met their girlfriends.

At the same time a white Ford Orion was stolen from an address in Caroline Road, New Inn.

Mr Rhys continues: "Ashley Walker and David Prosser were seen travelling along the highway in that vehicle.

"They drove past Justin Robinson, who had just walked his girlfriend home, and invited him to join them.

"He climbed into the driver's seat. It was the first time he'd ever driven and all of the boys had been involved in drinking.

"Justin was tested and around the time of the accident he had approximately 80mg of alcohol in his blood, which is just about the legal limit."

The court heard Prosser was in the back seat and Ashley Walker the front seat passenger.

The car crashed into a wall at around 10.30pm, after travelling at "extremely excessive speeds", said Mr Rhys.

Prosser was out of the car lying in rubble and rescuers freed Robinson. It was only when the emergency services arrived that Ashley Walker's body was found inside the vehicle.

Jane Rowley, defending Prosser, said he suffered "horrendous head and facial injuries".

She added: "He was not the driver. His wrongdoing was in allowing himself to be present.

"He is an extremely remorseful young man who has made great strides to change his lifestyle."

Eugene Egan, for Robinson, said: "Justin Robinson will have to live with this experience for the rest of his life. He lost his cousin and his very best friend."

Judge Roderick Denyer, QC, said: "Ashley Walker was involved with you in the events of May 25 and Ashley Walker is now dead as a result.

"But I see no reason to demonise Justin Robinson simply because he was the driver."

He added: "The fact is that a young man is dead. Were you adults, you would be looking at a long period of incarceration."

Both youths were sentenced to an eight-month detention and training order.

Speaking after the case, Ashley Walker's aunt, Sarah Ashley, said: "There's no way David Prosser should be having eight months. I can't justify him getting the same as Justin when Justin was the driver.

"Nothing will bring our Ashley back. He was named after my side of the family.

"Justin's bound to feel it because he's his cousin but we know he's not what they made him out to be.

"I'm not condoning what Ashley did but he paid with his life.

"He shouldn't have been in the car, but he's not here to speak, is he?"