A TEENAGER who was showing off in his new car minutes before it left the road and killed a 12-year-old passenger was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving yesterday.

Lee Leonard, 18, of Middlesbrough, was warned he faces jail after a jury convicted him of the charge.

Naomi Ashman, also known as Naomi Smith, a pupil at Stokesley School, died in the crash on the B1257 at Clay Bank, near Great Broughton, North Yorkshire.

Leonard, of Marten Moor Road, Nunthorpe, Teesside, denied the charge, but the jury found him guilty by a majority verdict of 11 to 1.

He was 17 at the time, and had passed his driving test only eight days before the accident.

Judge Peter Armstrong granted the teenager unconditional bail, but said custody would be inevitable.

The case was adjourned for reports, and he is expected to be sentenced on February 6.

Peter Makepeace, prosecuting, said he would speak to Naomi's family to find out their views before Leonard is sentenced.

He said: "It is a very emotional time for the family."

The family had thought Naomi, of Allen Grove, Stokesley, North Yorkshire, was babysitting with a friend on the night of the crash, Teesside Crown Court was told.

The prosecution said Leonard was showing off in his car when he lost control of it after he overtook a friend's vehicle.

He failed to navigate a bend and the Citroen Saxo left the road and hit a tree, killing Naomi, who was a rear-seat passenger.

After the verdict, her family said: "We are devastated at the loss of our daughter Naomi.

"We would hope that this conviction would make young people realise the limitations of their driving abilities so soon after passing their test."