A MAN was so high on drink and drugs that he had no memory of the car crash that killed his friend, a court heard.

David Medcalf, 21, of Pendower Street, Darlington, was involved in a collision that left him with multiple injuries and caused the death of David Nowlin.

Mr Nowlin, 21, of Brinkburn Avenue, Darlington, died on February 14 this year when he lost control of a stolen car and crashed into a mail box near Gardeners Barn garden centre, in Cleveland Street, in the town.

Medcalf was a front seat passenger in the car, and there was also a 17-year-old boy in the rear seat.

Medcalf was freed from the wreckage by paramedics and taken to hospital suffering with multiple injuries, including a punctured lung.

Darlington Magistrates' Court was told that the Vauxhall Nova had been stolen hours earlier from an address in Pendower Street by another man.

Friends of the man who had stolen the car were keeping watch for the police while it was being driven in Pendower Street. Medcalf was also there.

He had drunk five pints of lager and was high on cannabis, the court was told. He said he could not recall driving the car before the accident.

Robin Wheeler, prosecuting, said: "A friend said she saw Mr Medcalf in the car.

"People were aware that this car was stolen and were watching out for the police.

"She saw him get into the car and drive off. This defendant took up driving the car that someone else had stolen, and which someone else eventually crashed."

Medcalf pleaded guilty to being in a vehicle that had been taken without the owner's consent. He also admitted having no insurance and no licence.

Michael Rayner, defending, said: "He has not been able to recall what did go on. He cannot say for certain whether he was driving or not. He was not responsible for the fatal accident. He was a passenger at the time and there was a serious risk for his own life."

Medcalf had previous convictions for taking vehicles without consent, burglary, criminal damage and possessing a blade in a public place.

The case was adjourned until January 14 for pre-sentence reports. He was granted conditional bail.