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Man City's Courtney Meppen-Walter jailed for death crash Man City's Courtney Meppen-Walter jailed for death crash
(35 minutes later)
A Manchester City footballer who caused the death of two people in a car crash has been jailed for 16 months.A Manchester City footballer who caused the death of two people in a car crash has been jailed for 16 months.
Courtney Meppen-Walter killed Kulwant Singh and Ravel-Kaur Singh when his Mercedes hit their car, last September. Courtney Meppen-Walter killed Kulwant Singh and Ravel Kaur when his Mercedes hit their car, last September.
Manchester Crown Court heard he was driving at up to twice the 30mph limit in central Manchester, at the time.Manchester Crown Court heard he was driving at up to twice the 30mph limit in central Manchester, at the time.
Meppen-Walter, 18, of Middleton Road, Blackley, who admitted causing death by careless driving, was also banned from driving for three years.Meppen-Walter, 18, of Middleton Road, Blackley, who admitted causing death by careless driving, was also banned from driving for three years.
'Orphaned sons''Orphaned sons'
He has not played for Manchester City's first team but has captained the England under-18 squad.He has not played for Manchester City's first team but has captained the England under-18 squad.
The court was told Mr Singh, 32, and Ms Singh, 37, had been sitting in the front a Nissan Micra when it was struck by Meppen-Walter's in his grandfather's Mercedes C220 saloon, on at 22:15 BST on 1 September. The court was told Mr Singh, 32, and Mrs Kaur, 37, had been sitting in the front of a Nissan Micra when it was struck by Meppen-Walter's Mercedes C220 saloon, owned by his grandfather, at 22:15 BST on 1 September.
They had been emerging from a side street when the crash happened, at the junction of Great Ducie Street and Sherborne Street.They had been emerging from a side street when the crash happened, at the junction of Great Ducie Street and Sherborne Street.
At the time of the impact, Meppen-Walter was driving at 55.89mph and was accelerating, the court heard.
Police said Ms Singh's 16 and 17-year-old sons, who were in the back of the Micra and injured in the collision, were "making a good recovery". The pair are now orphans as their father was killed in Afghanistan.Police said Ms Singh's 16 and 17-year-old sons, who were in the back of the Micra and injured in the collision, were "making a good recovery". The pair are now orphans as their father was killed in Afghanistan.
The court heard that moments before the crash, the defendant had been "jockeying" and "playing games" with a friend in a VW Golf along a nearby dual carriageway. Moments before the crash, the defendant had been "jockeying" and "playing games" with a friend in a VW Golf along a nearby dual carriageway, the jury was told.
Taliban persecution
Meppen-Walter jumped out of his car and tried to help the injured, waving his arms and saying: "What have I done?"Meppen-Walter jumped out of his car and tried to help the injured, waving his arms and saying: "What have I done?"
Taliban persecution
The defendant, who has played 17 times for his country, is expected to serve half his sentence - eight months - in custody but may be released earlier on an electronic tag.The defendant, who has played 17 times for his country, is expected to serve half his sentence - eight months - in custody but may be released earlier on an electronic tag.
Mr Singh's widow sat in the public gallery, with an interpreter relaying the proceedings, and wiped away tears during the hearing.Mr Singh's widow sat in the public gallery, with an interpreter relaying the proceedings, and wiped away tears during the hearing.
The crash victims came to the UK in 2001 to start a new life after fleeing persecution by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the court heard.The crash victims came to the UK in 2001 to start a new life after fleeing persecution by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the court heard.
Part of a victim impact statement by Kushwant Kaur, Mr Singh's widow, was read to the court, which said: "My life is destroyed after the collision. It feels like the whole world finished and the children's life destroyed.
"We were planning our future together."
Meppen-Walter had one previous conviction for speeding - again doing 56mph in a 30mph zone.Meppen-Walter had one previous conviction for speeding - again doing 56mph in a 30mph zone.
A statement from Manchester City said the club sent its "heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Mr Kulwant Singh and Ms Ravel-Kaur Singh, in what was a devastating tragedy for them and the Greater Manchester community at large". Gwyn Lewis, defending, said he was "truly sorry" for what he had done.
"The incident was over in a flash," said Mr Lewis. "He stayed at the scene and tried to assist but it was already too late.
"The probation report says he's a young man who wished he could have those 10 seconds back, but of course he can't."
A statement from Manchester City said the club sent its "heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of [the victims], in what was a devastating tragedy for them and the Greater Manchester community at large".
It is understood Meppen-Walter's contract with Manchester City expires in the summer and is not going to be renewed, on footballing grounds rather than because of the case.