A DRIVER who was accused of causing the deaths of two teenage passengers in a Huddersfield crash 10 months ago has had the charges against him dismissed by a judge.

The prosecution had alleged that Mohammed Tanwir, 23, of Bradford Road, Shipley, was driving his Toyota Corolla, at a "grossly excessive speed" when he lost control and crashed on Bradley Road, Bradley, in January.

Danny Atkinson, 17, and Jade Rice, also 17, who both lived in Sherwood Avenue, Bradley, at the time, died at the scene after the Toyota struck a tree and a lamp post.

Tanwir had been due to stand trial on two charges of causing death by dangerous driving at Bradford Crown Court yesterday but late in the afternoon his barrister Andrew Dallas submitted that the case should be dismissed because of insufficient evidence.

The court heard that a prosecution expert could not rule out the possibility that the defendant's car was travelling at or about the 40mph limit at the time of the crash.

Although two occupants in an on-coming car had suggested the Toyota was travelling at between 80 to 100mph, a defence expert had contradicted their claims and concluded that the car would only have been visible to them if it had been moving at about 40mph.

Mr Dallas also submitted that the damage to the car was not a result of its speed but the result of the "truly unfortunate angle of impact" first with the tree and then with the lamp post.

Prosecutor Stephen Wood submitted that there was still sufficient evidence to go before a jury, but Judge Belcher said the developments in the case meant she did not think a jury could properly convict the defendant on the charges of causing death by dangerous driving.

She told the defendant: "I have dismissed the charges against you. I have quashed the indictment and you are discharged."

Tanwir had faced a further allegation of failing to stop after an accident and that matter was sent back to the magistrates court for it to be dealt with there. The victims were both teenagers staying at a halfway house in Bradley.

Tanwir was a night worker employed by the project running the house.

Danny Atkinson was a familiar figure in Huddersfield.

He always wore a distinctive red tracksuit which bore his name and a red doorag - a tight skullcap that looks like a scarf.

Daniel's mum, Linda Adams, and dad, Mark St Hilaire, said he adored his sisters, 13-year-old Leander and four-year-old Paige.

Danny had been living in Bradley for only a short time and was a familiar sight riding around the area on his mountain bike.

Jade Rice, 17, was had also lived at the house in Sherwood Avenue for a short time.

Jade, originally from Halifax, had enrolled on a hairdressing course at Calderdale College.

Her mother, Elaine Rolls, and stepfather Barry Noble, lived in Savile Park, Halifax.

Her father Ian Rice and stepmother Gillian Rice, also lived in Halifax.

She had a twin brother, Ian, and brother and sister Michael, 23, and Zoe Rolls, 21.