A man has admitted to killing a 21-year-old woman when he drove the wrong way on a major road linking east London and south Essex.

Ashley Loveday, 38 has admitted to killing 21-year-old Grace Payne when he drove the wrong way on the A13.

Loveday admitted to aggravated taking of the Peugeot Boxer van that collided with Payne’s vehicle on the A13 in East London on 25 November last year.

Grace Payne, 21, who had been a passenger in a Toyota Prius Uber vehicle, was killed in the collision.

The driver of the Uber, Sunder Ali, 59, was seriously injured but survived.

University graduate Ms Payne was said to be working at an architecture firm and had been on her way home to Upminster in east London after a night out with colleagues.

On Wednesday, Loveday appeared in the dock of the Old Bailey for a plea hearing.

He pleaded guilty to causing Ms Payne’s death and causing serious injury to Mr Ali by his dangerous driving on the A1306, Marsh Way, and A13.

Loveday, from Avondale Road, Canning Town, east London, also admitted aggravated vehicle taking of the van on or before November 22 last year.

Judge Alexia Durran ordered a probation report to focus on the issue of how dangerous Loveday was to the public.

The facts of what happened were not aired during the hearing but it was confirmed they would not be disputed by the defendant.

Loveday was remanded into custody until the sentencing on March 9.

Judge Durran told him to expect a “custodial sentence of some length”.

The A13 is a major road linking central London with east London and south Essex.