A NORTH Wales schoolboy who admitted causing his girlfriend's death in a holiday jetski accident spoke yesterday for the first time of his relief to be home.

Sixteen-year-old Rydal Penrhos pupil James Dudley was riding a jetski in the Cyprus resort of Pissouri last week when it collided with one ridden by his girlfriend, Hannah Sutton.

Hannah, 16, who went to the same private school in Colwyn Bay, died from her injuries.

James and his family will join Hannah's parents Lynne and Stephen at her funeral in Dunham Massey, Cheshire, this afternoon.

Pupils from the school will also attend the funeral, including a former room-mate of Hannah's who has travelled from her home in the British Virgin Islands.

James, of Victoria Park, Colwyn Bay, said in a statement: "I am grateful to be back at home and among my family and friends again.

"My only thoughts are with Hannah, her wonderful parents, Lynne and Stephen and her younger brothers Daniel and William.

"I can't imagine how I could have coped without their support. They have made me feel part of their family."

He thanked friends at Rydal Penrhos for hundreds of messages they sent during his ordeal, which saw him twice locked in a police cell.

James said: "I'd like to express heartfelt thanks to all my friends, Hannah's friends and fellow pupils at Rydal Penrhos for the countless text messages they've sent offering their support over the last 10 days."

He was fined more than £2,000 at Limassol District Court after he admitted causing death through want of precaution due to recklessness or negligence and two minor charges related to driving a jetski without a licence.

He faced up to four years in jail but Hannah's family said they did not blame him for the accident.

James and his family had been staying with Hannah's family at a British army base in Cyprus where the girl's mother is a school teacher.

James added: "I also wish to thank the British military based at Episkopi garrison in Cyprus for the tremendous help they provided me and my family, in particular Padre John Duncan for his care and kindness." (On Selected Models )