by Keith Hunt

A driver has appeared in court over the death of a teenage passenger earlier this year on the A21 Pembury Road, Tonbridge.

Johan Pema is charged with causing the death by dangerous driving of footballer and boxer Enrik Rrukaj, driving while disqualified, having no insurance and obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty by giving a false name and address.

Pema, a 30-year-old sports trainer, of White Oaks, Swaffham, Norfolk, appeared by TV link between Elmley Prison, Sheppey, and Maidstone Crown Court on Monday.

He was remanded in custody and will attend the court on December 12 to enter pleas to the charges.

Pema, born in Albania, Mr Rrukaj and four others had been to a boxing match in Kingston, Surrey, on April 4 and were heading for Hastings when the crash happened in the early hours.

Pema's Toyota Previa people carrier was in collision with an oncoming Suzuki Baleno car driven by Alexandra McMaster by the Fairthorne garage near the North Farm roundabout.

Mr Rrukaj, 19, of Turkey Road, Sidley, Bexhill, was a rear offside passenger and suffered serious spinal injuries. He died four days later in Stanmore Hospital, Middlesex.

Ms McMaster was returning home from babysitting her grandchildren in Pembury.