A newly-qualified teenage driver has been given two years’ detention after causing the deaths of his three friends in a horrific car crash.
Edward Spencer lost control of his Ford Fiesta while on his way home from school just five weeks after passing his test. Harry Purcell, 17, Tilly Seccombe, 16 and Frank Wormald, 16, who were passengers in the car all died as a result of their injuries.
A woman and two young children, who were travelling in another car, were seriously injured and continue to receive treatment for their life-changing injuries.
Today at Warwick Crown Court 19-year-old Spencer as sentenced for three counts of causing death by careless driving and three counts of causing serious injury by careless driving. He was sentenced to two years’ detention.
Spencer, who changed his pleas to guilty in March having previously denied wrongdoing, was criticised by relatives of the injured children and two of those killed for an apparent lack of remorse – having been seen smirking during a previous hearing.
The crash occurred between Chipping Campden and Shipston-on-Stour in April 2023. Spencer, of Armscote Road, Newbold on Stour. And the court heard he had a history of speeding, “showing off” and bad driving.
Judge Andrew Lockhart KC was told social media videos discovered after the crash had exposed a history of “showing off, driving too quickly and failing to heed the warnings of those who were in the car with him”.
It also emerged that Tilly had previously sent a Snapchat message to Spencer complaining about his driving but he had responded that she had “underestimated” him.
Passing sentence, the judge told Spencer his previous and habitual poor driving meant that there was a “terrible inevitability” about the “catastrophic” crash.
The judge said of the social media evidence, including video of Spencer passing a mobility scooter at more than 50mph: “It is disturbing material and it seriously aggravates the position you find yourself in.
“This is material that is indisputable, largely captured on video. There is here clear and crystal clear evidence of previous poor driving.”
The crash was caused by a “lethal combination” of grossly excessive speed and a failure to drive to the road conditions, the judge said.
Warwickshire Police said the case showed the “devastating consequences” that can occur if a car is driven carelessly. Speaking after Spencer had pleaded guilty in March, Inspector Michael Huntley, from the Warwickshire Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit, urged young people and their parents to consider the limitations of being a newly-qualified driver.
He added: “Drivers need to be aware of the devastating consequences that can occur if a car is driven carelessly.
“Edward Spencer had only passed his test five weeks prior to the collision and his careless actions cost the lives of three young people travelling in his car. Driving requires judgment and care, even more so when you lack experience.
“As this tragic case shows, the consequences of careless driving can be devastating. So many lives have been ruined by this terrible incident.
“I can’t begin to imagine the pain this has caused, and our thoughts remain with the individuals and families affected. Edward Spencer will live with the consequences of his careless actions for the rest of his life, as will the families of all those involved.”
Shortly after the crash, Chipping Campden School in Gloucestershire paid tribute to the students who lost their lives, who were all members of its sixth form.
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