A DRIVER yesterday admitted charges over a crash in which a Gwent teenager died.

Anthony Farley, 19, of Broadmead Park, Newport, died after sliding into the path of a car while sledging in Tredegar on February 21.

Alwyn Smith, 35, of Charles Close, Abergavenny, pleaded guilty at Newport Crown Court yesterday to two counts of causing death by driving while unlicensed and uninsured.

Crown Prosecution Service guidelines say the offence does not mean the defendant's driving was poor, but he could receive a maximum prison sentence of two years for each charge.

Smith pleaded not guilty to a third charge of failing to stop at the scene of a collision, claiming he thought he had hit a pot hole.

Sentencing for the first two charges was adjourned for a trial on the third charge to take place in the magistrates court at a later date. Smith was released on unconditional bail.

Family and friends of Mr Farley, who grew up in Bettws and left a one-year-old son Ieuan Meek, gathered outside the Newport Crown Court yesterday (FRI) to light candles in memory of Mr Farley, in front of banners demanding ‘justice for Anthony’.

David Roberts, 24, was sledging with his childhood friend Mr Farley on Chartist Way in Tredegar on the afternoon of the accident and sustained serious injuries to his spine, shoulders and face in the collision.

He said Mr Farley's family was disappointed with the outcome of yesterday's hearing.

Ceri Smith, the mother of Mr Farley’s girlfriend Jade Meek, said the family now had to go through another difficult court hearing.

She said: "I feel he should have been sentenced today."

Mr Farley’s brother Ryan, 21, spoke of how difficult life had been since his death. Mr Farley was one of seven brothers and sisters.

He said: "Nothing is the same. It’s not the same getting up in the morning for work and he’s not there for breakfast. It’s not the same for my mum who only plates up seven dishes instead of eight for dinner. Everything is completely different now."