A KEIGHLEY teenager has admitted causing the death of ‘a sweet and caring’ schoolgirl while driving dangerously.

Yesterday Adil Manir, 19, was told by a judge a prison sentence was ‘inevitable’ after he admitted to causing the death of nine-year-old Aleena Kausar in Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, on September 18.

Burnley Crown Court heard Manir, formerly of Rawtenstall but now of Chatsworth Street, Keighley, was driving an Audi A5 at the time of the fatal collision.

A second man, 22-year-old Mohsen Saddique, of Rowsley Street, Keighley, denied the same charge and is set to face a trial at the same court on November 14.

Saddique, also formerly of Rawtenstall, is alleged to have been driving a Volkswagen Golf at the time of the accident.

Manir, who was also banned from driving, must wait until the outcome of the trial before learning his fate and a pre-sentence report is due to be prepared.

Judge Beverley Lunt told Manir he will receive ‘full credit’ for his guilty plea but should prepare himself for custody.

She said: “It seems inevitable that you will have to go to prison for this but that decision will be made once the pre-sentence report has been read, but you should prepare yourself for that eventuality.

“I’m adjourning sentence and ordering a pre-sentence report.

“You are from this moment disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence.

“If you were to be caught driving from this moment onwards you would’ve committed a separate offence punishable by imprisonment.”

St Paul’s CE Primary School pupil Aleena was walking with her mother and cousin when she was involved in a collision at around 5pm on September 18.

She was airlifted to Royal Blackburn Hospital but despite medics best efforts she passed away.

Her family, speaking in a statement released by police shortly after her death, said: “Our family has been devastated by the death of our youngest daughter.

“Aleena was a sweet, caring child who touched the lives of everyone she met.

“Our home feels empty and our hearts broken but we thank God for blessing us by lending us his angel for nine years.”

Aleena left behind parents Mumtaz Ali and Sofia Begum, two older sisters and an older brother.

Manir was given conditional bail not to enter the Rossendale borough except to work for Bacup Taxis or approach named witnesses.

Saddique has similar bail conditions, with no work-related exception.

The court heard that at his trial jurors are set to see CCTV footage.

Judge Lunt said: “Your trial is set for November 14.

“You must record that date because you have to be here.

“If you don’t attend on that date you will be committing a criminal offence which may be punished with a prison sentence. Also the trial will continue in your absence which will mean you will be unrepresented.”