A 16-YEAR-OLD boy charged with causing the death of two close friends by dangerous driving will appear at crown court later this year.

The youth, who cannot be named because of his age, was allegedly driving a Ford Escort that crashed into a BMW at the junction of Southsea Avenue and Glendale Gardens, in Leigh, at 12.50am on December 27.

Reigan Knight, 17, died at the scene, while Liam Phillips, also 17, later died in hospital.

Another teenager travelling in the car was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis and has since been cautioned.

The youth, of Great Wakering, was not required to attend a hearing at Basildon Crown Court where a date was set for his next appearance.

He is also charged with driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

Judge John Lodge said he wanted to ensure the case proceeded with as few preliminary hearings as possible.

He said: “What I didn’t want is for there to be any unnecessary hearings where the defendant was present where people would expect progress to be made where progress was not made.”

The court heard some evidence, such as CCTV footage, was still to be served on the defence, although defence counsel Matthew Bone said this has not caused any problems.

The 16-year-old will appear at the court on March 31.