Killer driver had just been let out of prison

A THUG who killed two young brothers in a hit-andrun crash was a career criminal who had been released from jail only days earlier.

Robert Brown, 53, ploughed into Corey Platt-May, six, and his two-year-old brother Casper as they crossed the road with their mother, going to the park.

Brown had been out on licence for six days after serving time for carrying an 18-inch machete.

Police called the horrific crash ‘a parent’s worst nightmare’.

Brown and passenger, Gwen Harrison, 42, fled and were later found hiding behind garages.

Casper died at the roadside while Corey died later in hospital. Their mother Louise, two other brothers, aunts and cousins with them were uninjured.

It has since emerged Brown has a string of convictions dating back to the 1970s, ranging from theft to common assault.

In September last year he was jailed for six months after carrying a machete in a public place and driving without a licence or insurance. He was banned from contacting Harrison, his ex-fiancee, as a condition of release.

Yesterday at Warwick Crown Court, Brown, of Coventry, admitted causing death by dangerous driving in the city on February 22 last month. He also pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance or a licence.

He was remanded in custody until April 27 when his own barrister warned he would be receiving a lengthy custodial term.

Harrison, also of Coventry, admitted assaulting a man who tried to stop Brown fleeing the scene and was also remanded in custody for sentencing.

The brothers lived with their mother and father Reece, 30, a taxi driver.

In a statement, their mother paid tribute to her sons.

She said Corey was ‘an amazing boy’ who loved football and school, especially maths, while Casper was a ‘cheeky little boy’ who loved wearing his wellies and splashing in puddles.