A MAN who admitted to causing the death of a 16-year-old girl by careless driving has been spared an immediate custodial sentence.

Kieran James Marshall, aged 21, from Westbury Way, Blandford Forum, was issued an eight-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, at Dorchester Crown Court.

Marshall appeared at court for sentencing on Monday having previously admitted to the charge of causing death by careless driving at Bournemouth Crown Court in June this year.

Ellie Jackson, from Shaftesbury, was a passenger in a silver Volkswagen Polo driven by Marshall that crashed on the A30 Sherborne Causeway in June last year.

She sustained head injuries and died three days later in hospital.

The court heard that the single-vehicle collision occurred on Monday, June 30 last year at around 11.20pm near Lower Duncliffe Farm.

Jodie Mittell, prosecuting, said the vehicle had been travelling westbound along the A30 towards Yeovil, when it left the carriageway and collided with a grass bank and hedgerow.

Emergency services attended the scene and Miss Jackson had to be freed by firefighters before she was taken to hospital for further treatment.

Ms Mittell said Miss Jackson died three days later, a fortnight before her 17th birthday.

The court heard Marshall had pleaded guilty on a basis of plea, which included the phrase: ‘The defendant is desperately sorry that he caused the death of Emily Jackson.’

Ms Mittell said a witness, who had driven behind Marshall prior to the collision,was left with the impression Marshall was ‘showing off’ after accelerating near to the scene of the collision She added there was no evidence to suggest Marshall had been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time.

Rufus Taylor, mitigating, said the harm caused in this case was ‘incalculable' and that his client had pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.

Mr Taylor said his client acknowledged he was going ‘much too fast’ at that corner of the road given his level of experience as a driver.

He added that Marshall’s culpability had to be measured against factors including his client’s basis of plea, his youth and his experience.

Judge Jonathan Fuller QC said this was a ‘tragic incident’ and there was nothing he could say or sentence he could pass that would possibly alter that.

Commenting on the scene of the collision, he said: “It’s clear from what I’ve been told there have been accidents since June 30 last year and new signs have been erected to warn drivers.

“Those new signs were not present on the night in question.”

Judge Fuller QC told the defendant: “You were a young and inexperienced driver. You only got your test in January.

“You were unfamiliar with the road in question and your speed was excessive for the conditions.

“You failed to take proper care and the tragic fatal consequences followed.”

In addition to the suspended sentence, Marshall has been disqualified from driving for two years.

Marshall is also required to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £670 costs.