Fatal crash driver 'was show off'

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An international runner has told a court his friend, who admits causing death by dangerous driving, could be a "a bit silly" behind the wheel.

Ricky Challinor, 19, from Buckley, Flintshire, told Mold Crown Court that David Hirst, 18, liked to show off.

But he denied speeding or racing Hirst moments before his friend crashed on a Mold bypass, killing a couple in their 80s and badly injuring his passenger.

Mr Challinor has denied aiding and abetting Hirst.

The court has heard retired policeman Edward Townsend, 85, and his wife Marie, 83, died in the crash on the A494 Mold bypass on 5 December last year.

Hirst's passenger, 17-year-old Adam Johnson, of Bryn-y-Baal near Mold, also sustained extensive injuries after Hirst, of Mynydd Isa, crashed as he attempted to overtake a vehicle.

Sometimes it is fine, sometimes it is a bit silly Ricky Challinor, describing the driving of his friend, David Hirst

University student Mr Challinor was not involved in the impact but the prosecution alleges he and Hirst were driving at speeds of around 70mph on the by-pass, using it as a "racetrack".

Under cross-examined on Wednesday, Mr Challinor insisted that he had not checked his rear view mirror when he overtook a slower moving vehicle on the by-pass in his red Peugeot car.

He said he had no idea Hirst was driving behind him from the New Brighton Roundabout until the crash occurred close to the Wylfa roundabout.

But Karl Scholz, prosecuting, described his evidence as "fantasy".

'Speed limit'

Mr Challinor, who has told the court he was a keen distance runner who ran twice a day, six days a week, a minimum of five miles, said he sometimes gave a lift home to a female colleague at the Beaufort Palace Hotel at New Brighton, where he worked.

The court heard Hirst, a school friend, sometimes accompanied them to the address in his own car.

Mr Scholz asked what about Hirst's manner of driving on these occasions, and Mr Challinor replied: "Sometimes it is fine, sometimes it is a bit silly."

Asked if Hirst was a person who liked to show off when he was driving his car, Mr Challinor replied: "Yes".

Mr Scholz suggested that Hirst encouraged people to race with him, but Mr Challinor said: "I would not say encourage them, no.

"I would say they would be his own actions. I don't know if anyone else raced with him. I didn't hang around with him that often."

Mr Challinor again denied racing. He said he believed he was travelling within the speed limit, and said that he did not know Hirst was behind him until the crash happened.

Testimonials

Mr Scholz said that the only common sense conclusion of the evidence was that they were racing, whether up and down the by-pass or doing a circuit through Mold and back up to New Brighton.

The jury were read testimonials from Welsh athletics officials and Mr Challinor's former head teacher about his dedication and commitment in representing his school, county, Wales and GB in the sport.

They heard that despite the pressure of the court case Mr Challinor had recently represented Great Britain's Mountain Running Squad in the European Championships in Italy.

Judge Merfyn Hughes, QC, summed up the case on Wednesday afternoon.

The jury was expected to retire on Thursday morning to consider their verdict.