A Polish man extradited to Britain has pleaded guilty to causing the death by dangerous driving of a promising diver from Bradford, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Lukasz Banasik, 22, was flown from Poland to face the charge relating to the death of Gavin Brown.

The 22-year-old, a promising international-standard diver, died after being struck by a Vauxhall Astra driven by Banasik as he walked near the Hobbit Pub in Bevois Valley Road, Southampton, on April 27, 2007.

Mr Brown, from Cottingley, was a first-year criminology student at university in Southampton.

Banasik fled the scene, dumped the car and left for Poland the following day.

He admitted the charge when he appeared at Southampton Crown Court yesterday.

James Kellam, Crown Advocate for the CPS, said: “Mr Banasik should never have been behind the wheel that night. He didn’t hold a driving licence or have insurance.

“Despite this he chose to purchase a car for £100 and then drive it. When he hit Gavin he was driving above the speed limit.

“His actions following the collision were cowardly and deplorable. Instead of trying to help Gavin, he drove off at speed, through red traffic lights and abandoned the car in a nearby side street.

“The next morning he got a coach back to Poland.

“We worked extremely hard alongside Hampshire Police to bring Mr Banasik back to the UK. The execution of a European Arrest Warrant meant he finally had to face justice. Only now has he owned up to killing Gavin.

“It has been a long and difficult process for Gavin’s family. We are pleased that Mr Banasik’s guilty plea has spared them the ordeal of a full trial. We hope that they’re now able to move forward.”

Banasik also pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident, driving without insurance and driving without a licence. He was remanded in custody by Judge Peter Ralls QC for pre-sentence reports.

He will be sentenced on February 26 at Southampton Crown Court.