Luciano Spirito, 25, has admitted causing the death of 19-year-old Darcy Thomsett by dangerous driving after his car crashed on the A20 near Farningham in February 2023. A judge said Spirito should expect a “significant” prison sentence, describing the alleged speed before the collision as “off the scale”; the case highlights the fatal consequences of extreme speeding.

The crash occurred at about 10.50pm at the Eglantine Lane junction and involved Spirito’s red Polo GTI and a Mercedes Sprinter. Prosecutors are expected to say the Polo reached 137mph seconds beforehand, while the defence put the speed at around 115mph; Spirito also admitted causing death while uninsured and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and will be sentenced on 18 November.