A young driver appeared in court yesterday facing multiple charges relating to a horrific car crash that killed five people, including three teenage girls from Lowestoft.
A young driver appeared in court yesterday facing multiple charges relating to a horrific car crash that killed five people, including three teenage girls from Lowestoft.
Ben Morphey, of High Street, Yoxford, near Halesworth, faces five counts of causing death by dangerous driving following the two-car collision on the A12 at Blythburgh, near Southwold, on July 1.
The 22-year-old, who was wearing a pinstriped suit, spoke only to confirm his name during the short hearing at Lowestoft Magistrates' Court, staring at his feet as the names of the victims were read out.
Among them were Lowestoft sisters, Claire and Jennifer Stoddart, 18 and 15, and their friend Carla Took, 18, who had been travelling in a Vauxhall Astra with two friends when the collision happened.
The group, all students at Benjamin Britten High School in Lowestoft, were returning from a concert in Ipswich - a night out they had organised to celebrate finishing their A-levels.
The other victims were Simon Bonner, 40, and Kim Abbott, 41, both from Yoxford, who were passengers in the other car, a Renault Laguna.
The case was sent to Ipswich Crown Court, where Morphey will appear on October 24 at 10am.
He was released on bail with the condition that he resides and sleeps at the 4 Regiment Army Air Corps at Wattisham Airfield.
In August the EDP reported how Claire and Carla were the highest achieving girls in their school following the release of their A-level results.
Claire was awarded an A in English Literature and Bs in biology and chemistry which would have been enough to secure her place at Nottingham University where she was hoping to study pharmacy.
Carla gained three As in English Literature, media, and ICT and a C in history which would have given her a place to study media at Lincoln University.
It was also revealed that Jennifer had achieved a B grade in her ICT AS-level which she had taken two years early.
The girls' parents spoke of their pride at their achievements but also spoke of their devastation that they did not live to enjoy them.
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