'Dangerous' driving death: youth in court

Fifteen-year-old Charlie Townsend, who had just completed his GCSE exams at Park House School, Newbury, died following the accident around 4am on Wheatlands Lane in Enborne on August 4 last year.
In the dock at West Berkshire Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, January 8, was a local teenager, who can not be named for legal reasons.
He is charged with aggravated, unlawful vehicle taking; causing death by dangerous driving; causing death by driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and causing death by driving an uninsured vehicle.
The youth appeared alongside his parents and spoke only to confirm his name and address.
Also in court for the brief hearing were relatives of the victim.
Helen Waite, prosecuting, argued that the charges constituted a grave crime and should be heard before a district judge and the youth’s legal representative did not oppose the submission.
Magistrates released the youth on unconditional bail until March 5.