A driver left a nine-year-old boy dying in the road after a car accident, a court has been told.

Kamel Kadri, 38, an illegal immigrant, was at the wheel of the Renault 5 which killed the Durrington schoolboy on New Year's Day.

Callum John Oakford, known as CJ, was thrown into the air after stepping into the car's path on the A259 Littlehampton Road in Ferring, near Worthing.

Kadri, of Wallace Parade, Worthing, sped away from the scene and later told police a series of "ludicrous" lies in a vain attempt to cover his tracks, Worthing magistrates heard yesterday.

He removed documents linking him to the car and abandoned the vehicle.

The number plate of the Renault, broken off by the impact, was discovered at the scene.

Police later found the car in Bruce Avenue, Worthing, and traced Kadri despite the fact he had registered the car under the fictitious name of "Mr Dodo" with a false address.

Kirsten Sharp, prosecuting, said Kadri had overtaken a couple driving eastwards along the A259 in Ferring last Thursday at about 4pm.

She said: "Three children were crossing the road and were certainly noticed by the occupants of the other car, who slowed down.

"However, the defendant did not and struck one of the children.

"This was witnessed by two other children, aged 11 and 13, one of whom was the deceased child's brother.

"The circumstances of the accident made it clear a dreadful thing had happened - the child was thrown on the bonnet and into the air.

"Instead of stopping to give assistance, he sped off, leaving the witnesses to deal with the aftermath."

Miss Sharp said Kadri's neighbours told police they had regularly seen him driving the Renault, despite him denying it was his when questioned.

Kadri had obtained a National Insurance number and entry to England through a fake French passport, stolen from a man called Hacene Guelai in 1999. He replaced Mr Guelai's photograph with his own.

Once in the UK, Kadri applied for asylum. He claimed a paramilitary group in Algeria had tried to recruit him by force, burning his left arm with a hot knife.

Miss Sharp said his plea for asylum failed in 2002 and the Algerian had been in the country illegally since.

She said Kadri denied the charges with a series of "ludicrous" lies until evidence left him no choice but to admit he was the driver.

Kadri admitted possessing a fake passport, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and having no insurance, driving licence or MoT certificate.

Matthew Gibbons, defending, said: "Of course he should have stopped and he badly regrets not doing so.

"He was equally aware he should have reported the matter that night to police but when he got home he was violently sick.

"He was in tears and was distressed when interviewed by police."

Kadri was remanded in custody to be sentenced at Chichester Crown Court on February 6.

After the hearing, Sussex Police said Kadri's immigration status was being looked at.