Man in court after three teens killed in crash

An 18-year-old man has appeared in court charged with causing death by careless driving after three teenagers were killed in a crash on their way home from school.

Harry Purcell, 17, Matilda "Tilly" Seccombe, 16, and Frank Wormald, 16, died in the crash near Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, on 21 April 2023.

Edward Spencer, 18, from Newbold on Stour, appeared at Warwick Crown Court on Thursday.

A judge accepted an application from his defence team for Mr Spencer to enter a plea at a later date.

Mr Spencer was charged with three counts of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving and three counts of causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving.

A plea hearing date was set for 5 September with a provisional trial date set for 3 March 2025.

Mr Spencer remained on conditional bail and was told he must live at the address he gave to the court with the exception of pre-booked family holidays.

The defendant was the driver of a Ford Fiesta containing three other teenagers travelling home from school together when they were involved in a crash with a Fiat 500 on the B4035 Campden Road at about 16:10 BST on the day, Warwickshire Police said.

Two children, aged 10 and 12 at the time, who were in the Fiat 500, suffered life-changing injuries in the crash while their stepmother and a fourth teenager were also hurt.

Harry Purcell's family previously said they were "broken" by their loss and Tilly Seccombe's family said they were "utterly devastated".

"Our hearts are broken but our love for Harry will live forever," Harry's family said in a statement.

Tilly was described as "a beautiful girl" by her family who they said "made us so happy".

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