Teenager was racing car before Ruthin crash that killed two pensioners

Jun 17 2009 by Carl Butler, Denbigh Visitor

David Grant Hurst

A TEENAGER was racing his car before a horror smash which killed two pensioners.

Eric Townsend, 85, and his wife Marie, 83, of The Park, off Denbigh Road, Ruthin, died in the crash on the Mold bypass last December.

David Grant Hirst, 18, of Moel Gron, Mynydd Isa, near Mold pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by driving his Vauxhall Corsa between the Wylfa and New Brighton roundabouts.

Karl Scholz, prosecuting, told Mold Crown Court: “The plea entered by Hirst is on the written basis which suggests that such racing that took place was confined to a period of no more than one minute, the distance from the Shell Garage (New Brighton) and the collision.

“The evidence in the prosecution case indicates it may have been taking place considerably longer. At this stage I simply remark it is not acceptable.”

Judge Huw Davies QC ordered pre-sentence reports on Hirst and said sentencing would take place as soon as possible.

He added: “Someone who pleads guilty to this kind of offence is facing the inevitability of a custodial sentence.”

Hirst, had his unconditional bail renewed.

On the day of the accident Mr and Mrs Townsend had left their home to go an visit her sister in West Allerton, Liverpool.

Mr Townsend was a retired policeman with 30 years service, 25 of them with the Metropolitan police in London.

They moved to Ruthin on his retirement in 1971. Mr Townsend took up a position as a civilian counter worker in the town’s police station.

Mrs Townsend used to work as nurse.

The couple leave a son, Chris, who moved from Douglas on the Isle of Man last year to be with his parents after his father had a hip operation.

Ricky James Challinor, 19, of Bryn Awelon, Buckley, faces two charges of causing death by dangerous driving on the Mold by-pass on December 5. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges and has been released on unconditional bail.

His car was not involved in the collision that killed Eric and Marie Townsend. His trial will take place at Mold Crown Court on September 7.