A MAN whose driving led to an accident in which a friend was killed, was yesterday told to expect a prison sentence.

Scott Killeen, 23, was given the warning after admitting a charge of causing the death of Michael Peter Blake by dangerous driving, and driving without insurance.

It followed an accident on the A1(M) in County Durham, on May 9, when a Ford Focus driven by Killeen collided with the back of a lorry, near the Bradbury interchange, at 4.50am.

His passenger, 28-year-old Mr Blake, died from injuries suffered in the collision.

Sentence was adjourned pending preparation of reports on Killeen by the probation service.

He was bailed to an address in Plaintree Avenue, Fenham, Newcastle, to return for sentence on October 21.

Judge John Walford told Killeen: "You had the good sense to plead guilty to this charge and that will go in your favour when sentence comes to be passed. Because of the obvious seriousness of the offence, there will be a custodial sentence."

Mr Blake, from Merseyside, was living in Myrtle Grove, Jesmond, Newcastle, and was a manager for a telecommunications company.

He and Killeen travelled to Mr Blake's family home in Kirby, on Merseyside, to watch the Everton versus Newcastle Premiership match at the end of last season.

During their weekend in Liverpool Mr Blake, an Everton fan, was thrilled to meet the club's manager David Moyes and some of the players celebrating their qualification for the Champions League, guaranteed by the 2-0 victory.

The accident took place as they were returning to Newcastle in the early hours of Monday.