A DRIVER who caused the death of his stepsister during a high speed race with a biker faces jail.

Aaron Bridgeman, 35, was following close behind motorcyclist Jason Szalkowski when the bike crashed on the wet country lane at at least 63mph, a court heard today.

His stepsister, Claire "Vicky" Franklin, was riding pillion on the motorbike in Pandy Lane near Llanbradach.

She fell off the bike onto Bridgeman's Peugeot car, Newport Crown Court heard.

Ms Franklin died of multiple injuries and the biker was left brain damaged, the court was told.

Bridgeman left the scene of the crash but gave himself up hours later after claiming to have taken an overdose of paracetamol tablets, a jury heard.

Police records revealed that both Bridgeman and his friend Mr Szalkowski had previously been sentenced for driving while disqualified.

Mr Szalkowski had eight offences of driving while disqualified, nine of driving without insurance and one of dangerous driving recorded against him.

Meanwhile, Bridgeman already had three offences of driving while disqualified on his record.

He had never held a licence and drove without insurance of the day of the crash, the court heard.

Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett indicated that the biker may have wanted to "show off" for Vicky Franklin.

The court heard it was not in the public interest to bring charges against Mr Szalkowski as he was too seriously injured.

Bridgeman, of Lansbury Park, Caerphilly, denied one count of causing death by dangerous driving on December 23, 2013.

It took a jury around one hour and 40 minutes to unanimously find him guilty of the charge.

Newport Judge Daniel Williams described the events leading up to the fatal accident as a "high speed race".

He said: "I am adjourning sentence for the preparation of a pre-sentence report which will help to determine how long the prison sentence is going to be."

Today, Bridgeman pleaded guilty to additional charges.

They are driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, driving without insurance, failing to stop after an accident, and failing to report an accident.

Bridgeman had denied racing on the day of the accident, the court heard.

He said he was travelling at a safe distance behind the motorcyclist.

He added that he was doing no more than 45mph and that his vision had been affected by the spray from the bike in front of him.

Judge Williams remanded Bridgeman in custody until March 27.