DRIVER ADMITS CAUSING TEENAGERS’ DEATHS

A DRIVER has admitted causing the death of three boys following a car crash in Hayes.

Jaynesh Chudasama, of Hayes, who was more than two-and-half-times the drink-drive limit, pleaded guilty to three counts of causing death by dangerous driving at the Old Bailey on Monday (February 26).

The court heard the 28-year-old, who also had traces of cannabis in his system, was behind the wheel of an Audi A5, driving at 71mph on a 60mph road, when he hit three teenage friends.

Semi-professional footballer Harry Louis Rice, 17, apprentice electrician George Toby Wilkinson, 16, and labourer Josh McGuinness, 16, died instantly, the court heard.

The trio were among a group of eight friends on their way to a 16th birthday party at Goals Heathrow, in Shepiston Lane, at 8.40pm on January 26, when they were struck near a bus stop.

The driver had swerved to overtake another car and lost control, crashing into the boys who were thrown into the air, the court heard.

The defendant’s car spun around in the road before crashing into a cemetery wall, coming to a halt.

The driver and passenger ran off, but were pursued by two boys, one who hit Mr Chudasama over the head with a bottle then dragged him back to where his friends lay injured.

At the scene of the crash a girl held George’s hand as he lay dead half in the road and half on the pavement, the court was told.

Friend Joshua was struck with such force he had been thrown over a fence and into a nearby cemetery.

The third victim, Harry, was carried on the bonnet of the car until it crashed into the cemetery wall, the court was told.

One officer who arrived at the scene assisted the driver and youngsters asked him why he was helping the man who had killed their friends.

Judge Wendy Joseph QC said the tragedy that led to the “appalling” loss of life could have caused the deaths of more young people.

The victims had been old school friends from Harefield Academy, in Uxbridge, the court heard.

The defendant hung his head and spoke softly as he entered his guilty pleas.

The courtroom was filled with tearful members of the boys’ families, two who have yet to have their funerals. An inquest opened into the deaths of three teenagers on Monday February 19.

Prosecutor Crispin Aylett QC said no victim impact statements had been completed.

Sentencing has been adjourned until Friday March 9.

The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is 14 years in prison.