A hit-and-run driver who fled to Latvia after killing a 12-year-old schoolboy has admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Dolars Aleksanders, 23, pleaded guilty on Thursday at Warwick Crown Court to causing the death of Keaton Slater.

Keaton was pronounced dead at the scene after being hit by a BMW on Radford Road in Coventry on June 14, 2024.

Aleksanders, originally from the Dobele area of Latvia, was extradited to the UK on August 5 this year after a long-running inquiry involving West Midlands Police and Europol.

Keaton’s parents, Louise and Clint Slater, were sitting in the public gallery of the court as Aleksanders entered a guilty plea via videolink from HMP Dovegate, near Uttoxeter.

Adjourning the case for sentence in November, Judge Matthew Walsh told Aleksanders: ‘You have entered your guilty plea to this very serious matter.

‘Plainly the sentence that you are going to have imposed upon you is to be a very long one. That will be determined by Her Honour Judge (Kristina) Montgomery KC on November 13.’

West Midlands Police said in a statement after the hearing that Aleksanders was driving a black BMW at more than 70mph when he struck Keaton, who was trying to cross the road, shortly after 4.30pm.

He drove off, and the car was found abandoned more than six miles away about 20 minutes later. Keaton’s relatives, many wearing T-shirts bearing the youngster’s picture, left court without commenting.

His parents issued a written statement through West Midlands Police, reading: ‘For two years, we have struggled to come to terms with Keaton’s death while also having to live with the devastating feeling that justice has not been done.

‘We have had to endure the heartbreak of losing our son while waiting, hoping and fighting for accountability. There have been days when the pain has felt unbearable, and days when it has been difficult to see a way forward.

‘Keaton should have been here. He should have been growing up, making memories, laughing, dreaming and living his life. Instead, we have had to learn to live in a world without him.

‘But today, after two long and heartbreaking years, we can finally say that justice has been done for Keaton.’

His parents added: ‘Nothing will ever bring our beautiful boy back. No sentence, no outcome and no words can ever take away the pain of losing him, but finally having justice means that Keaton’s life and the circumstances surrounding his death have been acknowledged.

‘We will never stop loving Keaton. We will never stop missing him, and we will never stop speaking his name. Keaton was more than the way he died. He was our son, our beautiful boy, and a huge part of our lives. He will always be remembered, always be loved and always be in our hearts.’

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Lewis, who led the investigation, said after the hearing: ‘Keaton should have had his life ahead of him, but the selfish and reckless actions of Aleksanders took this away from him.

‘Aleksanders was speeding at an excessive level and would have known the impact of the collision. He could have sought to help Keaton but instead fled, leaving him to die and his family to deal with an unimaginable amount of grief and pain.

‘Everyone who has heard Keaton’s story has been determined to do everything possible to catch the person responsible. This has been a complex investigation, but we’ve always remained resolute and bonded by the belief that we would ensure Aleksanders was convicted for his appalling actions.’

Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC told the plea hearing that footage would be played at the sentencing and victim personal statements will be read.

Aleksanders intends to make a written application to be permitted to attend his sentencing via videolink, the court heard.

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