Triple death crash driver given hospital order

Oct 22 2008 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A SEVERELY brain damaged man has been detained in hospital for his part in a crash that killed three teenage girls.

Now police hope the shocking incident in Waterloo will act as a warning to other potential boy racers.

James Houston, 27, was given an indefinite hospital order at Bradford Crown Court yesterday following the high-speed smash at Wakefield Road two years ago.

Batley girls Gemma Cost, 15, and Ursula Alokolaro, 16, and Dewsbury girl Natalie Donlan, also 16, died after Houston, of Hillhouse, lost control of the Ford Fiesta they were all travelling in as he raced another car at speeds of up to 60mph.

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, Det Sgt Nigel Gittins from Kirklees CID, said: “This was a horrific incident involving young people driving in an extremely dangerous and irresponsible manner.

“We hope it will put the message across that racing cars in this way can cost lives.”