Guilty plea to dangerous driving

5:06pm Thursday 24th July 2008

A 24-years-old Neyland driver who shot across the Dale road split seconds before two friends in a following car were killed in a collision with a Mitsubishi Terrano , pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Swansea Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday).

Anthony Rees of Gothic Road, Neyland, was given an interim driving ban by Judge Keith Thomas who adjourned the case to August 11th pending a pre-sentence report.

At an inquest in April, following the fatal crash in which half-brothers Thomas Anthony (18) and Gareth Nichols (20) died, Ceri Jones the driver of the Terrano, said Rees' car had been "airborne" when it crossed in front of him in the early hours of September 3rd 2007 .

Rees' Vauxhall Cavalier narrowly missed him as it flew across the road and he then collided broadside with the Corsa, following immediately behind.

Mr Jones said when Rees returned to the scene he had shouted at him and possible sworn at him for "driving like a fool."

Thomas, who had passed his test only six months earlier, and his half-brother Gareth, sustained multiple, unsurvivable injuries in the impact with the Terrano, Pembrokeshire Coroner, Michael Howells, was told before he recorded verdicts of misadventure on Thomas and unlawful killing on Gareth.

No alcohol was found during a post mortem but there were traces of cannabis in the half brothers' systems.