A DRIVER accused of causing the death of his friend and step-father was “racing” at speeds of up to 75mph on a country lane before a fatal crash, a court heard.

Joshua Ford, aged 21, of Underhill Crescent, Abergavenny, is on trial at Cardiff Crown Court on charges of causing death by dangerous driving of his step-father, 35-year-old Lee Fox, and his friend, Jordan Thomas, 19.

He has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Opening the case for the prosecution yesterday, Christopher Rees, said Ford was driving a red Citroen C2 when he met Mr Thomas outside the The Hardwick restaurant in Abergavenny. Mr Thomas was driving a blue Toyota Celica with Ford’s step father, Mr Fox, in the car as a passenger.

Mr Rees said witnesses saw the two high performance cars drive off “at speed” from a lay-by outside the restaurant on the B4598.

The court heard, Mr Thomas lost control on a bend and clipped a Ford Focus travelling in the opposite direction, causing the Toyota to spin and hit a tree. Ford was close behind Mr Thomas and his Citroen hit the back of the Toyota.

Mr Thomas and Mr Fox were thrown out of the back window of the car by the force of the collision shortly before 11pm on January 8, 2016. They died at the scene from “catastrophic injuries”, with Mr Fox being found 35m down the road and Mr Thomas 10m away.

“Both young men were driving at excessive speeds and showing off,” said Mr Rees.

“They were intent on racing each other.”

He said Ford was driving too close to Mr Thomas and encouraging him to race. Witness Steven Jones, who was driving the Ford Focus, described how he tried to swerve to avoid colliding with the Toyota.

“As the first car came around the bend it was snaking,” he said.

“The driver had lost control and on the bend and was trying to correct himself.

“Within four seconds the second car shot past me.

“I shouted ‘slow down.’ I would say that they were racing.”

Another witness Oliver Alford said a red Citroen - believed to be Ford’s - flashed his headlights at him approaching the Hardwick roundabout. He said Ford overtook him on solid white lines, before turning on his hazard warning lights.

Mr Rees said Ford denies racing Mr Thomas and that he could not see the car ahead.

The trial continues.

1.56pm

A 21-YEAR-OLD from Abergavenny has appeared in court charged with causing the deaths of two men by dangerous driving.

Joshua Ford, of Underhill Crescent, Abergavenny, is on trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

He is accused of causing the deaths of 19-year-old Jordan Thomas and 35-year-old Lee Fox.

The crash occurred on January 8, last year, on the B4598 near The Hardwick restaurant.

It involved two cars – Ford’s red Citroen C2 and Mr Thomas’ blue Toyota Celica.

Opening the case for the prosecution, Christopher Rees said Ford and Mr Thomas were driving at 'excessive speed', with the intent of racing each other, when the fatal incident took place around 10.55pm.

Ford previously pleaded not guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.