A TEENAGER from Pershore will have to retake his driving test after causing a crash that killed a man.

Liam Ridings, of Mill Lane Close, pleaded guilty to careless driving when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Monday.

The court heard that the 19-year-old had been making his way to Pershore College along the B4084 Evesham Road at Wick, near Worcester in his mother's Ford Fiesta when the accident happened at around noon on Friday, April 2.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said 65-year-old Edward Grace had been sitting in his car waiting to turn right into the driveway of his Evesham Road home when his Vauxhall Cavalier was struck from behind, by Ridings, and was knocked across the carriageway into the path of an oncoming car.

She said Mr Grace, a former racing car mechanic, was taken to hospital where he died a week later.

"Forensic examination of Mr Grace's car has confirmed that he was indicating," said Miss Ashton. "Mr Ridings was travelling in the same direction and failed to see Mr Grace slowing down and indicating to turn right."

The court heard that although Ridings tried to swerve to avoid Mr Grace, the front of his Fiesta caught the back of the other man's car, pushing it into the path of a Vauxhall Vectra which then collided with it.

"The standard of driving exercised by Mr Ridings fell below the requisite standard," said Miss Ashton.

Emily Lenham, defending, said Ridings did not see Mr Grace slow down and stop in the moments before the crash because he had glanced at his speedometer to check he was not exceeding the 50mph speed limit.

"He thought that by checking the speedometer, he was driving in a very careful manner," said Miss Lenham.

Ridings was fined £750, ordered to pay £55 court costs and his driving licence was endorsed with nine penalty points.

Chairman of the bench, Catherine Lane, told Ridings that as he had acquired nine points within two years of taking his test, he would have to go back to a provisional licence and retake his driving test.