A motorist has pleaded guilty to killing three teenage boys in a drink-driving crash in Hayes, Middlesex. The defendant, who works for a car rental firm, was more than twice the legal alcohol limit when his Audi struck the victims as they walked to a party.
The crash occurred on 26 January at 8.30pm, killing Harry Louis Rice, 17, and 16-year-olds George Toby Wilkinson and Josh McGuinness. The three were among a group of eight friends heading to a 16th birthday party at a football club.
Prosecutor Crispin Aylett QC told the court that the defendant was attempting to overtake another car when he hit the teenagers. George and Joshua were thrown into the air, while Harry was carried on the bonnet until the car hit a wall. The driver and his passenger fled the scene but were chased by two boys, one of whom hit the driver over the head with a bottle to stop him escaping.
The defendant, who hung his head and spoke softly, entered his guilty plea in a courtroom packed with the boys' families. Although he will not face separate drink-driving charges, the prosecution confirmed that his alcohol level would be a factor in sentencing. Funerals for two of the victims had yet to take place at the time of the hearing.
