Footballer charged with deaths

16 June 2008 01:09pm

The mother of two young boys killed in a motorway crash has returned to court to see a professional footballer charged with causing their deaths.

Amanda Peak, 30, remained composed as Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court for a preliminary hearing over the deaths of Arron Peak, 10, and his brother Ben, eight.

The 24-year-old is charged with causing death by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol.

A charge of driving without insurance has been withdrawn, the court heard.

Prosecutor Robert Price said it appeared to be an "administrative error" that McCormick's insurance details were not on a national database, and that the defendant had produced an insurance document which was accepted as genuine.

A sombre-looking McCormick, wearing a dark suit, spoke only to confirm his identity and that he understood the proceedings.

He was bailed to appear at the same court on September 8, when he will enter a plea.

The boys, from Partington, Manchester, were killed on the M6 in Staffordshire on June 7 as they made their way to the Silverstone racetrack for a day out.

The Toyota Previa people carrier in which they were travelling with their father and three friends was hit by a black Range Rover shortly before 5.45am.

The boys' father, Phil Peak, 37, who was at the wheel of the Toyota, was left seriously injured. He sustained a suspected broken neck and back in the crash and was treated at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

© The Press Association