A 14-year-old boy from County Durham who was driving a stolen car when it crashed, killing one of his friends, has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Teesside Crown Court in Middlesbrough heard that the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was driving a stolen Vauxhall Astra with three friends as passengers when he crashed.

The car ploughed through a fence in Stockton Road, West Cornforth, on 16 January.

Liam O'Connor (who is also called Liam Richardson) 13, was killed, and the driver and two others fled the scene.

The boy driver, from Ferryhill pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving. He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

The boy was also accused of failing to stop after an accident and failing to report it, and driving without insurance and a licence - but they were withdrawn.

He was remanded on bail and will be sentenced by the Youth Court in Aycliffe on Monday, 12 May.