A learner driver who caused the death of his 15-year-old girlfriend after hitting a tree has pleaded with a Melbourne court to send him to youth detention.
Joshua Lewis, was 18 in February last year when he borrowed a car, lied about having his P-plates, and veered off the road at Longwarry, southeast of Melbourne.
His passenger, Georgia Larsen, later died in hospital.
On Tuesday, the County Court of Victoria was told Lewis had post traumatic stress disorder, suicidal tendencies, and should be placed in youth rather than adult detention.
That means Lewis, who has previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, would be subject to a maximum of four years' incarceration.
The court was told that "clearly a sentence of a significant period" was required, but youth justice would be preferable to an adult prison because Lewis was psychologically vulnerable.
Lewis, who is on bail, is due to be sentenced on July 31.
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Australian Associated Press
