David Cameron, of Blakelaw, Newcastle, was cycling across Stamfordham Road in the city last June when he was hit by a car driven by Mark Tye.

Newcastle Crown Court heard on Monday his BMW had defective brakes and tyres.

Tye, 21, of Chapel Park, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and will be sentenced on Tuesday.

The court heard Tye overtook one vehicle on the A167 dual-carriageway, before moving to the inside lane to pass another, then moved back to the outside lane as he approached a pedestrian crossing in Blakelaw.

He knocked down David, a cystic fibrosis sufferer, causing multiple injuries and killing him instantly.

Defective brakes

Julian Smith, prosecuting, said drivers saw Tye approach the crossing, and brake so hard there was tyre smoke and screeching but it was "to no avail".

He said: "(Witnesses) watched as David Cameron was struck, thrown into the air and over the car, landing in the road behind."

David had been playing on his bike with friends and rode across the road while the lights were still green for traffic.

Mr Smith said police experts found the vehicle was dangerous with the anti-lock braking system faulty, rear brakes defective and rear tyres short of tread.

Christopher Knox, defending, said the car's defects made no difference to the outcome of the case.

He said Tye has no previous driving convictions, adding: "Mark Tye bitterly regrets and will always have on his mind the death of that poor boy.

"He appreciates a prison sentence is inevitable in a case such as this."