A night out ended in tragedy when a student lost control on a bend, killing one of his passengers, a court heard.

Edward James, 19, was driving a group of Hadlow College students back from a Maidstone nightclub last May when his car left the road on the corner of the A26 at Teston and rolled several times.

Back seat passenger Perri McIlwraith, 17, of Mackintosh Close, High Halstow, died in the crash.

James denies driving without due care and attention

Maidstone Magistrates heard James was the designated driver on May 23, and left ikon soon after 1am in the morning carrying passengers Julie Mead, Ella Johnson, Pam Beardsall and Perri McIlwraith.

His driving was described by those in the car as normal, they were listening to loud music but said they had no cause for concern.

However Miss Beardsall said James revved the engine and did a wheelspin outside the club "the same as any boy would, showing off slightly but not majorly."

This was disputed by the defence.

Miss Beardsall also said at one point near South Lodge Bend where the accident happened, Miss McIlwraith turned to her and said: "I think he’s going a bit fast."

Miss Beardsall said: "I said ‘I know', but I don’t know if that’s because we didn’t know the speed limit or if it was because of the corner."

Miss Johnson said she felt comfortable with his driving and was happy to go to sleep in the car.

PC Ford, from Maidstone police station was in the first patrol car to arrive at the scene of the accident.

He said James, of Plantation Drive, Orpington, identified himself as the driver and was shaking and cold but not injured. He tested negative for a breath test.

He told the officer: "I was going around the corner doing about 60mph, when I braked hard. I felt the back end of the car go out and touch the grass verge.

"Suddenly we were facing a building so I steered heavily to the left. This is when I felt the car roll over. There was a lot of noise and then the car stopped moving."

Prosecuter David Applin told magistrates: "If someone has an accident without any reasonable explanation then he is driving without due care and attention.

"The reasonable, competent and prudent motorist drives on the road and goes around bends without any problems."

The trial continues.