‘No concerns on gas death’
Footballer who killed 2 in crash walks free from court after drink-drive conviction
A GAS blast that ripped apart a three-storey house and killed one man is not being treated as suspicious.
Emergency crews raced to the semi-detached house after an explosion at 2.30am on December 27.
Neighbours said it was “like a bomb going off ”.
The body of James Kirkby, 48, was later found by specialist firefighters in Andover, Hants.
Hampshire Police said it was an “isolated” incident and there were no “safety concerns” for other houses. Played for England as a youth AN ex-Manchester City footballer who was jailed for killing a brother and sister in a road smash walked free from court yesterday after being caught drink-driving. Courtney MeppenWalter, 24, was twice the legal limit after he was arrested by police last month. Officers had seen him crash into a kerb and then stall his Kia Picanto at traffic lights.
In February 2013, Meppen- Walter, then 18, was jailed for 16 months after a Mercedes car he was driving ploughed into a Nissan Micra at almost twice the 30mph speed limit.
The crash in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, claimed the lives of Kulwant Singh, 32, who was driving the Micra, and his sister Ravel Kaur, 37.
Meppen-Walter was freed after serving four months.
Yesterday at Manchester magistrates court, the defender, who plays for nonleague Chorley, was handed a 12-month community order after admitting drink- driving. He must do 80 hours’ unpaid work and was banned from driving for 22 months.
Speaking to the court, Meppen-Walter said: “It was stupid and I’m embarrassed.”
Meppen-Walter, of Heywood, near Rochdale, who played for England under-17s and 18s, began his career with Manchester City.
He was released from the club after his conviction for death by careless driving. Tell us what you think: yourvoice@mirror.co.uk