Mold Crown Court continues fatal accident inquiry

The Welsh teenager accused of racing a friend who crashed and killed two pensioners and injured his passenger has been cleared in the fatal accident inquiry into the deaths.

After over three hours Mold Crown Court said 19-year-old Ricky Challinor was not guilty of the charge of aiding and abetting David Hirst, 18, whose car collided with Eric and Maisie Townsend’s vehicle.

Hirst is convicted of causing the deaths of the couple by dangerous driving in December 2008. Mr Challinor told the court he was driving at the national speed limit at the time of the accident, and safely overtook a vehicle on the busy road. However, Mr Challinor described how he then watched as Mr Hirst overtook a vehicle behind him which led to the car crash.

Committed

Mr Challinor was discharged following testimonials from teachers and athletics officials which explained his commitment to Wales and Great Britain as a distance runner training six days a week. The jury heard that during the court case Mr Challinor had even represented GB at the European Mountain Running Championships in Italy.

Mr Challinor was discharged on Thursday by Judge Merfyn Hughes.