An 18-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to killing her best friend in an horrific car accident last year.

Georgia Marney pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Croydon Crown Court this afternoon.

Her friend Mikeala Stevens died on August 28 after the car Marney was driving smashed into a telegraph pole in Overbury Crescent, New Addington.

The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident which happened just after 3am. Marney and another passenger were taken to hospital with injuries.

Mikeala, from Cudham Drive, had just returned home after spending an evening with her boyfriend before she went out with Marney who picked her up in a stolen Fiat Punto.

Marney also pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving while unlicensed and driving without insurance as well as one count of inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm.

The Recorder of Croydon Judge Warwick McKinnon warned Marney she faces a substantial prison sentence and needs to prepare herself for her sentencing which will take place on August 19 at Croydon Crown Court.

The court heard she has been suffering from depression and is awaiting a psychiatric assessment.

Mikeala's family and friends were devastated by her death. Her mother Penny Cooke said: “She was so happy on the Friday, she had been out with her boyfriend and had only been in the car for about 10 minutes. She looked so beautiful when she went out.

“She had friends everywhere, I just do not know what to do, I have never had to deal with anything like this before.”

Her aunt, Becky Fletcher, said: “She was a happy, bubbly, beautiful girl, she had her problems like all other teenagers but had overcome them and was starting to get on with her life. She has left behind two sisters and a brother that loved her dearly.”