 Rebecca Casterton and Lauren Brooks were on their way home |
The driver of a lorry which collided with the back of a car, killing two schoolgirls, has been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving. Robert Murray, 51, of Wrockwardine Wood, Telford, denied the charges but was convicted by a jury at Stafford Crown Court after a five-day trial.
Rebecca Casterton, 13, and Lauren Brooks, 12, of Staffordshire, both died in the A38 collision in January.
Murray had used a mobile phone moments before the crash, the court was told.
'Reckless actions'
The two girls were being driven home from a horse-riding lesson and were back-seat passengers in a Renault Clio travelling southbound on the A38 at Clay Mills, near Burton-upon-Trent, on 20 January, when the collision took place.
Rebecca, from Barton-under-Needwood, died at the scene. Lauren, from Burton-upon-Trent, was pronounced dead at hospital shortly afterwards.
Both were pupils at John Taylor High School in Barton-under-Needwood.
Sgt Shaun Stanton, of Staffordshire Police, said: "Murray's reckless actions cost the lives of two young girls who had everything to live for.
"Their needless deaths devastated their families, their school and local community."
Sentencing has been adjourned until a later date.
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