A MAN has admitted to the killing of a Radcliffe teenager after he crashed into a crowd in Trafford.

Scott Watkins, of Worsley Road North, Salford, pleaded guilty to causing the death of 19-year-old Sophie Louise Smith by dangerous driving, when he appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court via video link, today.

The 24-year-old also pleaded guilty to four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, causing death by dangerous driving whilst uninsured, failing to stop after a road accident and failing to report a road accident.

Miss Smith was one of seven people taken to hospital after a BMW collided with pedestrians at a car meet on Europa Way, on May 31.

Miss Smith died in hospital the following day.

Watkins has been refused bail and is due to be sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on August 2.

Thomas Humphreys, aged 21, of Ruskin Court, Farnworth, was also charged with aiding/abetting dangerous driving, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and perverting the course of justice in connection with the crash.

Following the fatal incident in Trafford emotional tributes to Miss Smith were paid by family and friends.

In a statement her family said: “Sophie was an amazing daughter, sister and girlfriend and our hearts are broken.

“We will always love her and never forget the time we spent together. Sophie was our little angel and loved by everyone who knew her.

“A big empty space has been left in our souls and life will never be the same without her. We will always be thinking about her and she will be in our hearts forever.”

Miss Smith's boyfriend, Jordan Chidgey, who was also seriously injured in the collision, added: “To my beautiful girlfriend Sophie. Our time together may have been short but I was the luckiest person in the world to experience the love we shared, the laughs we had and plans for the future that have been lost forever.

“You are my world, my love, my princess and always will be. Sleep tight princess, you’re my angel.”

A vigil was held at the scene of the crash in Europa Way to remember Miss Smith, by her colleagues from a branch of Costa Coffee in Bolton, on June 3.

No words were spoken at the vigil, but those attending lit candles placed flowers, balloons and cards, and tied messages hand written on card hearts to bushes, near to the scene.

They also fastened a Costa Barista's shirt to a sign over looking the shrine, before hugging and taking a moment's silence.

Several cars stopped by the vigil for people to get out and lay bouquets of flowers.

The tributes joined dozens of others laid at the site in the days following the collision, alongside tea lights which lined the street forming the letters SLS — Miss Smiths initials.