A 21-YEAR-OLD man has admitted killing a cab driver in a head-on Christmas Eve crash.

Joshua Jeffrey pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court yesterday to causing the death of father-of-three Liaqat Mahmood by driving dangerously in Park Lane, Keighley, on December 24, 2015.

Jeffrey’s denial of an offence of manslaughter was accepted by the Crown and he will be sentenced on January 30.

His barrister, Tim Capstick, said there was no application for a probation report because “it will be a lengthy custodial sentence”.

The court heard that Jeffrey, of Eric Street, Keighley, was charged with manslaughter because there had been a suggestion that he drove at the minicab.

“That is very much denied,” Mr Capstick said.

Prosecutor John Bull said the Crown was not pursuing that line of inquiry.

Judge David Hatton QC remanded Jeffrey back into custody until the sentencing hearing.

He could not be dealt with immediately because members of Mr Mahmood’s family were not present in court.

Mr Mahmood, 33, of Highfield, Keighley, was driving a blue Vauxhall Vectra which was involved in a head-on crash at 1.15am.

He was taken to Leeds General Infirmary, where he died soon afterwards.

A passenger in Jeffrey’s vehicle, a black Rover 75, was seriously injured.

Firefighters from Keighley and Bingley were called out to the accident and had to cut both casualties free from the wreckage.

Mr Mahmood worked for 1st Choice Private Hire, based off Church Street in Keighley town centre.

Company manager Kabir Hussain said at the time that he and his colleagues were in a state of shock.

“He’d been with us for four or five years,” he said.

“He was a very honest, well-liked and happy person.

“He had two young boys and a girl and was very close to me and my other drivers.

“If anyone wanted a shift covering or anything else like that, he’d do so.

“He’d never take anything to heart, and he’s going to be truly missed.

“All my drivers and also drivers from other firms are really upset.”

Also speaking at the time, Councillor Abid Hussain (Lab, Keighley Central), a relative of Mr Mahmood, said: “It’s a tragedy. He was such a lovely lad.

“His youngest child is only two or three months old.”