A teenager has appeared in court charged with causing the death of two friends who were killed in a car crash.

Landscape gardener Brett Hewson, 18, of Coombe Hill, Billingshurst, near Horsham, has been charged with death by dangerous driving after William Richardson, 18, of Slinfold, near Horsham, and Asa Caudill, 19, of Billingshurst, died in the crash on Friday, July 5 this year.

The teens, both former Weald School pupils, were in a silver Peugeot 306 which left the road and collided with a tree in Slinfold, near Horsham.

Another 18-year-old was injured in the collision.

Hewson, who has not yet entered a plea to the count, was driving a silver Opel Astra with three passengers behind the Peugeot.

He appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on December 11 and was released on bail to appear at Lewes Crown Court on January 17.