A 21-year-old man has admitted the manslaughter of a teenager whose body was discovered in the sea off Thanet.

Michael Bowditch, of Prestedge Avenue, Ramsgate, denied murdering Becky Morgan, 17, during a previous court appearance.

But he changed his plea to guilty to manslaughter before his trial was due to start at Maidstone Crown Court today.

Today he was jailed for five-and-a-half years for the girl's death.

Police had been alerted at 5am on May 1 last year by people concerned for the welfare of a girl seen in the water in the Port of Ramsgate.

After his arrest Bowditch said: "--- off, I've seen someone die tonight."

Prosecutor Simon Taylor said the night before Becky died she attended a birthday party for college friend Adrian Oakley.

It was at the party she met Bowditch and spent the evening with him.

In the early hours of May 1 they were at the harbour arm in Ramsgate.

At some stage the teenager went into the sea and drowned. Her body was recovered two-and-a-half miles away at 7.47am.

Bowditch entered a plea to manslaughter on the basis he could not say how Becky came to fall in the sea, but failed to take any action to help her.

On the day of the offence he had been drinking heavily and taken cocaine and cannabis.

Mr Taylor said of Bowditch saying he had seen someone die: "Albeit that these utterances have to be placed in context, they might tend to suggest the defendant did not just walk away and leave Miss Morgan to perish but that he remained and watched her drown."

The analysis was supported by the fact Becky had told Bowditch she could not swim.

"If this is right the consequences of leaving her without assistance would have been obvious," said Mr Taylor

Bowditch would have afterwards walked past at least one lifebuoy on his way to the Rokka Bar nearby, close to the coastguard station.

CCTV showed a large number of revellers in the area and none was asked for assistance. While in the bar Bowditch was reported to be drunk and happy. He was dancing and tried to chat up a girl.He was ejected after a row. He then met up with a friend and went to his house for drinks."It is the failure to take any steps to prevent Miss Morgan's death after she fell into the sea which forms the basis of his culpability for manslaughter," said Mr Taylor."But what you didn't dispute is that you very soon realised she was in the sea, and you did absolutely nothing," he said."You tried in no way to help her, a drowning girl - not by throwing her a lifebuoy, not by calling anyone for help, not by contacting the rescue or emergency services."In other words, you left her to drown."You then behaved in a way which many will righly find repugnant."

"There is only one person who will ever really know the full details of what happened that night to cause a 17-year-old girl to lose her life" - Det Sgt Fiona Mattholie

The hearing was interpreted by a signer as the victim's parents are both deaf.

Judge Jeremy Carey said Bowditch's assertion that he did not push Becky into the sea was accepted by the prosecution.

Earlier the judge said of Becky falling from the harbour wall: “We will never know for sure how or why that happened.

“She was a happy, well-balanced live-loving 17-year-old girl who had every reason to want to live, to enjoy the warmth and support of her close family.

“So, the tragedy which occurred that early morning in which you, Michael Bowditch, played a highly relevant and negative part is one that brings many people to this court,” said Judge Carey.

“Some are looking for answers, some looking for a particular outcome. Others are looking for a very different outcome.

“The court does not sentence according to the wishes of a particular constituency. A just sentence is one that gives effect on the one hand to the appalling consequences of your criminal conduct when a 17-year-old girl has died, and on the other hand a just sentence reflects, or should reflect, the circumstances of the offending.

“You have pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of gross negligence - serious but very different from a murder.

“By your plea of guilty you accept your behaviour that night, having regard to the risk of death involved, was so bad it amounted to a criminal act.

“Your assertion you didn’t push Becky Morgan, or have any contact with her prior to her going into the water is accepted by the prosecution.”

Her mother, Lee Ann Bevan, said in a moving victim statement that “something bright” had disappeared from their lives.

Speaking after the case, deputy senior investigating officer Detective Sergeant Fiona Mattholie said: "Despite a comprehensive and in-depth investigation by officers, there is only one person who will ever really know the full details of what happened that night to cause a 17-year-old girl to lose her life.

"Bowditch has now admitted he did play a part in her death and was guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence.

"My condolences are with Miss Morgan’s family and friends and I hope this helps them in coming to terms with such a tragic turn of events and the loss of life."