A YOUNG man has denied charges in connection with the deaths of three women in a road crash when he appeared before a crown court judge.

Luke Bootes, 18, pleaded not guilty to three charges of causing the deaths of Carol Whittaker, of Linden Drive, Sheerness, Jean Wigglesworth and Annie Riley, previously known as Phyllis Paolillo, both of Medway Road, Sheerness. The three woman were friends.

Bootes, of Hawthorn Avenue, Sheerness, also denied three alternative charges of causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed alcohol limit, aggravated vehicle taking and making off without paying for petrol.

Bootes was driving a Jaguar Sovereign car that was in collision with a Peugeot 205, in which the three women, all in their 50s, were travelling, on the A249 Brielle Way, near West Street, Bluetown, Sheerness, on June 10.

Family and friends of the victims attended Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday for the hearing, during which Bootes appeared by TV link from Chelmsford Prison

Judge Michael Lawson, QC, set the trial date for February 19 next year.

Bootes was remanded in custody and will return to court on December 4 for a further hearing.