A TEENAGER who crashed his car, killing a student, was locked up for five years yesterday.

Carl Foster, 17, admitted causing the death of Philip Taylor, 22, by dangerous driving, at Teesside Crown Court.

The court was told that trainee motor mechanic Foster, 16 at the time of the crash, had driven like a "lunatic" while being pursued by police. That day had been his first experience of driving.

Peter Johnson, prosecuting, said Foster, of Dallas Street, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, had bought a Toyota Carina car with friends for £25 on November 3 last year and at first he seemed to have been driving sensibly.

Just after 11.10pm three of the five teenagers in the car, saw a police car which began following them. Foster's driving changed, he said.

One of the passengers told police: "Before the police were following us, he was driving in a normal way. After that he went mad." Another said he was "driving like a lunatic".

Foster drove at speeds of up to 70mph, drove through a red traffic light, mounted a pavement and ignored give way signs.

He finally drove through the junction of Douglas Street and Breckon Hill Road where he crashed the car into a Ford Fiesta in which Mr Taylor, a student from Bilsdale Road, Longlands, Middlesbrough, was a front seat passenger and his brother, Stuart, was also a passenger.

All those in the Toyota ran off, but Foster was caught and arrested.

Mr Taylor was taken to hospital, but died the next day.

Jonathan Carroll, for Foster, said the teenager had no previous convictions.

He said he was extremely remorseful for what he had done and was sorry for what he had put Mr Taylor's family through.

Foster had been receiving counselling and was on medication to help him sleep, Mr Taylor said.

Judge Michael Taylor said: "Whatever sentence I impose, your life is ruined and another family has lost a young man with his whole life ahead of him."

Mr Taylor's father, Denis Whitehead, said the family were pleased with the sentence.