Driver guilty over three deaths

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A man whose "appalling driving" killed three girls has been told he faces a long jail sentence.

Adam Anguige, 25, of Batley, West Yorkshire, was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving at Bradford Crown Court on Thursday.

Gemma Cost, 15, Ursula Alokolaro, 16, both from Batley, and Natalie Donlan, 16, from Dewsbury, died in the crash in Huddersfield in September 2006.

Anguige was remanded in custody for sentencing at a date to be fixed.

The girls were in another car which was being driven by James Houston when he lost control during a "cat and mouse" game with Anguige on the road, the court heard.

Jurors took two and a half hours to convict Anguige of the offences.

Judge Christopher Prince told him the sentence would be "a considerable period in jail for an absolutely appalling piece of driving".

Taunted

Earlier in the trial Anguige told the court he was being taunted by Houston who flashed for him to pull over and then tried to force him off the road.

Anguige also said a metal object had been thrown at his Vauxhall Nova from Houston's Ford Fiesta - a move which he claimed lead to a number of minor bumps with the other car.

But Andrew Dallas, prosecuting, told the court the two men had been driving competitively and dangerously at speeds of up to 60mph.

After the crash Anguige left the scene, but later returned and was arrested.

He admitted in court to lying to police when he said his girlfriend had not been in the car during the incident "because he was trying to protect her".

He said: "I left the scene because I was in a state of shock. I feel disgusted by my behaviour and I wish I had not been such a coward."

Earlier in the trial the jury was told 27-year-old Houston could not stand trial because he lacked the mental capacity after being injured in the crash.