Teen driver admits Patshull Park Hotel lake crash killing

Ben Henshaw was a passenger in Max Parker's Peugeot 206 when it cra-shed into the water at Patshull Park Hotel in Pattingham, near Bridgnorth, last August.

Parker, 19, of Greenway Avenue, Bridgnorth, today pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

The plea was entered at Stafford Crown Court on the basis the defendant knew that the vehicle's rear offside tyre and brakes were defective. Prosecutor Mr Hugh O'Brien-Quinn told the hearing: "There is a short basis of plea that states that the condition of the vehicle created the risk of dangerousness in this case."

He said the plea of guilty on that basis was acceptable to the prosecution. Judge John Wait told Parker a prison sentence was "inevitable". The court heard how the accident happened in the early hours of August 6. The body of Mr Henshaw, from Alveley, was found in the lake later that day.

Parker and a 15-year-old girl passenger freed themselves after the crash.

The court was told Parker had no previous convictions and had made admissions to the police as soon as he was interviewed.

Judge Wait said Parker "knew there was a defective rear offside tyre and knew the brakes were defective and continued driving, which in itself is dangerous, because he knew of those dangers".

He told Parker: "You have pleaded guilty to a very grave charge and a custodial sentence in inevitable, but it is appropriate that there should be a report on you from the probation service before a judge decides the appropriate sentence."

Parker was disqualified from driving and will be sentenced on July 3.