A Minster man has pleaded guilty to killing his brother in a crash that happened hours before he was to be sentenced for a dangerous driving offence.

Jake Pedrick-Harvey was under the influence of drugs when his Vauxhall Corsa crashed into trees in Spitfire Way in Manston in April, killing Jimmy Powell.

Now a judge has heard that Mr Powell, described by police as Pedrick-Harvey's older brother, was also planning to attend the hearing at Canterbury Crown Court.

Pedrick-Harvey, 22, now of Kenton Gardens, Minster admitted three offences after appearing by prison video link.

"The deceased had been planning to attend that hearing to support the defendant" - defence lawyer Nicholas Jones

He pleaded guilty to causing Mr Powell’s death by driving carelessly on the B2190 while under the influence of cannabis-based tetrahydrocannabinol and cocaine-based benzolecgonine.

Pedrick-Harvey also pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while uninsured and not having a licence.

The morning after the death crash, Pedrick-Harvey, formerly of Poets Corner, was due to be sentenced for driving dangerously in Dane Road, Margate.

Police later claimed Pedrick-Harvey, who had been seriously injured in the Manston crash, had gone on the run and was wanted by officers.

His lawyer, Nicholas Jones told Judge Heather Norton: “This defendant had previously pleaded guilty to the charges of driving dangerously and other motoring offences and was due to attend a hearing at Canterbury for sentence the day after the accident.

“The deceased had been planning to attend that hearing to support the defendant.”

Judge Norton remanded Pedrick-Harvey in custody until December and ordered the probation service to prepare a report but she told him he faced a custodial sentence.