A TEENAGER has admitted moving a street sign into the middle of a road in an act of 'high jinks' which led to the death of Portland sisters Lucy and Catherine Breakwell.

Lee Pennington, 18, of Wakeham, Portland, could be jailed for up to seven years after pleading guilty to endangering road users by interfering with traffic equipment when he appeared before Weymouth magistrates yesterday.

The court was told how Pennington placed a Site Closed sign - found outside Portland Recycling Centre - in the way of oncoming traffic on Easton Lane on Portland as a prank.

David Siong, prosecuting, said Pennington had been drinking in Weymouth with friends earlier that night and returned to Portland by bus, getting off near the Portland Heights Hotel.

Mr Siong said Pennington was in 'high spirits' and 'fooling around' but not drunk when he decided to put the sign in the centre of the carriageway and then walked home.

The court was told that 10 minutes later a Ford Fiesta driven by Lucy Breakwell, 21, with her half-sister Catherine Breakwell, 15, of New Street, crashed in Easton Lane.

Mr Siong said: "From witness accounts it is believed the car swerved to avoid the sign and collided with a tree on the other side of the road. Regrettably as a result of the collision both girls received fatal injuries and died at the scene."

The girls had earlier been at a function at The Riviera Hotel, where they worked.

The following morning Pennington gave himself up to police - devastated that an act of 'high jinks' had led to the two deaths, said Mr Siong.

In mitigation, David Bell said: "This is a young man who comes from an extremely good and caring home who has never been in trouble before.

"Never for an instance had he contemplated that the consequences of his behaviour would be so tragic.

"He anticipated annoyance and inconvenience to the travelling public but nothing more than that."

He added: "This is not the case of a young man heaving a boulder off a bridge who knows a car is coming."

Mr Bell said friends of the sisters were travelling in convoy with the girls but turned off just before the accident happened.

They then saw the Ford Fiesta accelerate away, added Mr Bell.

Chairman of the bench Sir Philip Williams said: "In view of the exceptionally serious and tragic consequences of that night we feel crown court is appropriate for your sentence."

Pennington was released on unconditional bail and is next due to appear at court on November 19.

A 17-year-old youth, who has denied the same charge, was remanded on bail to appear at Weymouth Youth Court on October 27. He cannot be named because he is under 18.