A man has admitted causing the death of a 19-year-old friend after jumping behind the wheel of his car while drunk.

John Jolly, 24, was driving a black VW Golf when it careered off the A291 Canterbury Road in Herne Bay last May.

College student Stephin Thomas, 19, died in the crash after the car struck a fence near the junction with Bullockstone Road.

Jolly, of St Lawrence Road, Canterbury, pleaded guilty to causing a death by driving carelessly while unfit through drink at the city’s crown court on Friday.

He has now been handed an interim driving ban and will be sentenced at a full hearing on May 27 at the same court.

Another passenger in the car suffered a broken leg and was taken to hospital.

The road was closed for 10 hours while crash investigators collected evidence.

Stephin’s parents later paid tribute to their son, saying: “Nothing can ever replace you from our hearts Stephin.

“In God’s care you rest above, but you will always rest in our hearts with love.

“We will treasure all our memories of you. You will never be forgotten.”

Indian-born Stephin lived in Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, after moving to the UK from Kerala about six years ago.

He worked as a barman at the Abode Hotel in the city’s high street, whose general manager Declan Kelly said: “Stephin will be missed by many friends and colleagues at the hotel.

“A kind-hearted and passionate member of our team, he was always keen to go the extra mile and was a favourite amongst regular guests who enjoyed sampling his latest inventive cocktail creations.

“He was highly thought of throughout the hotel, a real star to us all and we will all miss him greatly.”

Stephin was also a member of the Bethel Christian Fellowship, which meets at the Thanington Resource Centre.