Driver spared jail after crash which killed two teens in Slindon

At Lewes Crown Court Brett Hewson, 19, of Coombe Hill, Billingshurst, was acquitted of causing the death by dangerous driving of two other teenagers in a road traffic collision on the A264 Five Oaks Road, near Fulfords Hill, Slindon, on July 5, 2013.

But he was convicted of dangerous driving, ordered to pay fines and costs of £250, banned from driving for 12 months and told he must take an extended driving test before regaining his licence.

William Richardson, 18, of Hayes Lane, Slinfold, was killed when the Peugeot 306 he was driving left the road and struck a tree.

Passenger Asa Caudill, 19, of Arun Road, Billingshurst, suffered serious injuries and was taken to St George’s Hospital, London, for specialist treatment, but died early the next day.

Another passenger in the Peugeot, an 18-year-old man, suffered wrist and shoulder injuries for which he was detained in hospital overnight, and a third passenger, a 17-year-old girl, suffered slight injuries.

The court heard the Peugeot was travelling at nearly 70mph while negotiating a bend in a 40mph zone.

Earlier the car had left the Billingshurst area together with an Opel Astra being driven by Hewson.

Both cars had been travelling at speed, up the A29 and then down the A264 towards Slindon.

Witness testimony highlighted excessive speed and dangerous overtaking manoeuvres, two of which almost resulted in head-on collisions.

The prosecution contended that it was a case of two cars racing on public roads.

Speaking after the hearing, Sergeant Alan Spicer, of Sussex’s road policing unit based in Arundel, said: “There are absolutely no winners in this case.

“A community has been devastated by the deaths of two popular young men who had their lives ahead of them, and I doubt their families will ever come to terms with their loss.

“This case should serve as a reminder that driving which may seem to be a bit of a laugh at the time can have devastating consequences, and has no place on the roads.”