A 16-YEAR-OLD boy is yet to be sentenced for the death of a Malvern boy killed in a car crash.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was due to be sentenced for causing the death of Malvern teen Liam Ball at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday (September 5) but the hearing was adjourned to allow the youth offending service to interview the defendant.

Liam Ball died in the early hours of August 2 when the silver Volkswagen Golf in which he was travelling crashed into parked cars in Weston Street in Walsall.

A 16-year-old pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving, driving without a licence, no insurance and failing to stop at the scene at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court in early August and was due to be sentenced yesterday.

The 16-year-old has now been released back into the care of social services and will reappear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on September 25.

The 16-year-old missed his first appointment with the youth offending team because of a mix-up over the location but a second meeting with the boy revealed a need to carry out further assessments before compiling a pre-sentencing report.

Judge Peter Barrie said: "I can only apologise for the people who are here today hoping for a resolution in this case.

"Further assessments need to be made in order for the court to come to a proper conclusion.

"It is very disappointing to have to face further delays but my overriding concern is to ensure that a just result is reached at the end of the day.

"There has been a misunderstanding about the venue for the assessment and when the meeting did take place between the defendant and the youth offending service it was found that further assessments needed to be made.

"There is very little alternative available to me but to adjourn this case."

The teenager was instructed by Judge Peter Barrie to comply with the youth offending service or he would be in danger of breaching his bail conditions.