Express & Star

Killer teen driver facing jail over death of 19-year-old

A teenager has been warned he faces a custodial sentence after admitting causing the death of a 22-year-old by dangerous driving in a crash in Rugeley.

Published

James Masters, 19, pleaded guilty to the single charge at Stafford Crown Court in a brief hearing.

Victim Joseph Hunt, from Rugeley, was found with serious head injuries in Western Springs Road at 2.30am in December 2014, and later pronounced dead at the scene.

Masters was driving a Skoda Fabia when the crash happened at the junction with Church Street on December 6.

The teen - who was wearing a black suit, white shirt and black tie - had to repeat his plea of 'guilty' at the court on Monday because he spoke too quietly in the first instance.

Mr Richard Dawson, defending, said Masters understood that he would likely spend time in jail because of the seriousness of the offence.

Mr Dawson said: "Mr Masters acknowledges and recognises - not withstanding his age and guilty plea - that a custodial sentence is inevitable in this case.

Judge Mark Eades ordered Masters, of Pine View, Rugeley, be given an interim disqualification from driving and chose to remand him in custody.

Masters was due to be sentenced at the crown court today for the offence.

Relatives and friends of Mr Hunt, who was known as Joe, paid tribute to him after the incident in 2014.

A family statement said at the time: "The family would like to sayJoe was a much-loved son and brother, who was known by many people and loved by all."

Flowers were laid near to the scene at the junction of Western Springs Road and Church Street.

One of the tributes said: "A great lad. Gone but not forgotten." Another said: "Joe. You will forever be in our hearts. Rest In Peace."

Friends of Mr Hunt started raising money in his memory – with £3,350 having been donated.

Mr Hunt's old school friend Josh Dunning also set up a Facebook page where people left tributes.

He said he hoped the money would help to pay for a special memorial at Molineux, the home of Wolves, as Mr Hunt was a huge fan.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.