A TEENAGER has admitted causing the death of a friend after losing control of his car on a bend.

Morgan Stanford, 19, (pictured) of Gordon Road, Black-wood, yesterday admitted responsibility for the death of Wayne Davies by driving dangerously.

Warehouseman Mr Davies, 18, died last July when he was thrown from the Ford Fiesta being driven by Stanford.

Cardiff crown court heard how Mr Davies, of Aberbargoed, was a front seat passenger in the car when he and apprentice electronics engineer Stanford were travelling to Newport for a go-karting session.

At Rock Villas on the A4048 Tredegar to Blackwood road, Stanford lost control when going into a bend. The car spun around at speed and hit a lamp post.

Mr Davies, a former pupil of Bedwellty Comprehensive School and a member of Bargoed Shotokan Karate Club, died after being thrown out of the vehicle and was found at the foot of the steps of one of the villas.

When she spoke to the Argus after the hearing, Joanne Hibbert, who was pregnant at the time of the accident, relived the moment she discovered the teenager at the bottom of her neighbour's garden steps.

"I was shaking violently and suffering severe abdominal pain," she said. "I was 12 weeks pregnant and terrified that I was going to lose my child."

Residents immediately called an ambulance, but all attempts to save Mr Davies failed. Two of Mr Davies' friends were injured in the accident.

Mr Davies' parents, David and Sandra, and his aunt and uncle, John and Kim Davies, were on holiday in Prague when the accident happened.

They flew home as soon as the tragic news was broken to them. His mother said: "Wayne's death at such an early age has devastated our whole family and left a gap in our lives which can never be filled."

Kim Davies said: "Wayne really enjoyed life. He was a fun-loving kid with a smile for everyone."

The court heard defence counsel Michael Jones say: "This was a very tragic incident." He said he had met experts and it appeared that the vehicle was travelling at a minimum of 46mph before skidding and going out of control.

Stanford, he said, had a previous conviction for speeding. "He knows what the consequences will be. He is fully aware of the court's power," Mr Jones added.

Sentence was adjourned for reports and Stanford was remanded on bail.