A 20-YEAR-OLD soldier has admitted causing the death of a Dorset teenager by careless driving.

Benjamin James Southall, who serves with 26th Regiment Royal Artillery, pleaded guilty to careless driving while over the alcohol drink-drive limit on May 7.

The charges relate to a fatal head-on collision on the A354 near the Pimperne roundabout.

Ben Andrews, 19, a former Milldown and Blandford schools pupil, who moved from Wareham to Blandford, died at Dorset County Hospital from injuries suffered in the crash.

Ben was a volunteer youth worker and a “Big Brother” at Blandford Youth Centre.

Paying tribute to his son, Ben’s father Paul said: “I could not have wished for a better son, he really was brilliant.”

St Peter’s and St Paul’s church in Blandford was packed for Ben’s funeral service, where friends described him as cheerful, caring, true and loyal.

His little sister Molly broke down as she tried read her own tribute to “her lovely brother” and there was a round of applause for the popular teenager.

Following Ben’s death a charity was launched to raise money for the emergency services in his memory.

Southall denied inflicting grievous bodily harm on Laura Haskell and assault, occasioning actual bodily harm, on Aaron Wicks on the same date.

The 20-year-old from Gunville Down Road, Blandford, is now due to face trial on the grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm charges.

He was released on conditional bail and will return to Dorchester Crown Court for his trial on January 21.