Defiant driver in double death crash is jailed

A driver who ignored warnings he had faulty brakes and killed two 16-year-olds in a 70mph crash, was jailed for eight years today.

Salesman Lee Elton, 28, of Oldham, was ignoring pleas by four passengers to slow down when his brakes failed and he smashed into a Ford Focus.

Christian Leyden and Anthony Hughes, who were being driven home from football practice by Anthony's mother, died at the scene. Police discovered Elton had been emailing other car enthusiasts describing his brakes as "absolutely knackered".

A red light was permanently on showing the brakes were not working but he had ignored it, Minshull Street Crown Court was told. Elton admitted causing death by dangerous driving.