Teen in court over Tyninghame car crash deaths

The scene of the crash near Tyninghame. Picture: TSPL

A TEENAGER has appeared in court in connection with a car crash that claimed the lives of three of his close friends.

Robbie Gemmell, 16, has been charged with causing the deaths of his three schoolmates and  attempting to defeat the ends of justice following the smash in November last year.

Gemmell, from Dunbar, East Lothian, made no plea or declaration and was bailed following his appearance in private at Haddington Sheriff Court yesterday.

He has been charged with causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving, causing death by driving while unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured, and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

The case was continued for further examination.

Jenna Barbour, 18, Josh Stewart, 16, and 15-year-old David Armstrong, all from Dunbar, sustained fatal injuries following the crash.

The Peugeot 206 the friends had been travelling in is said to have left the road and struck a wall near Tyninghame, East Lothian, on 25 November 2013.

A statement released on behalf of Miss Barbour’s family said they were “completely devastated” by her death.

David Armstrong’s mother Andrea spoke of her “kind-hearted and good-mannered boy”. Josh’s parents Susan and Mark said: “Josh was a joy to anyone who knew him.”