Leeds car crash: Teary boy, 15, in court over five dying as car hit a tree
A BOY of 15 wept as he appeared in court yesterday charged with causing the deaths of five friends in a car crash.
Leeds car crash: Three children among five people died in a horror crash
The teenager was allegedly behind the wheel of a stolen Renault Clio when it smashed into a tree at “such a high impact that half the car effectively disappeared”, Leeds Youth Court was told.
Ellis Thornton-Kimmitt, 12, his brother Elliott Thornton-Kimmitt, 14, Darnell Harte, 15, Robbie Meerun, 24, and Anthony Armour, also 24, died in the crash at 10pm on Saturday.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was allegedly the only one of six people in the vehicle to survive.
Yesterday he appeared in the court with his left arm in a sling and with visible injuries to his eye.
The teenager was allegedly the only one of six people in the vehicle to survive
The boy, who stood in the glass-fronted dock with one male and one female security officer, spoke only to give his name, address and date of birth.
A man and a woman, understood to be his parents, sat sobbing directly in front of him.
It is understood the couple have received threats since the crash and are receiving a police guard at their home.
Leeds car crash: The teenager was refused bail
After he was remanded in custody by District Judge Marie Mallon, the boy leaned his head against the glass and cried as he spoke to his parents.
He also attempted to push his fingers through the gaps in the security barrier for his mother to hold.
During the 20-minute hearing the district judge refused a request by Stephen Smithson, defending, to allow the teenager bail.
She said he would appear again at Leeds Crown Court on December 13.