A driver accused of a double death crash in Teynham has asked for the victims' families to be told of his devastation at what happened.

Ashley Howard was not asked to enter pleas when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

But his lawyer Tom Cockcroft said the 22-year-old wanted him to tell the grieving families he was distraught.

“He is absolutely devastated to have caused the fatalities,” said Mr Cockcroft.

He added Howard was detained in King’s College Hospital in London for three months, followed by rehabilitation.

He said further enquiries needed to be made about his condition.

Howard was with Rosie Crittenden in a Renault Clio when he gave friends Michael Shepherd, 27, and Karl Buchan, 23, both from Faversham, a lift in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

The car crashed into the Jubilee Pump historic monument in London Road,Teynham, killing dad-of-four Mr Shepherd and Mr Buchan.

Miss Crittenden was seriously injured.

Prosecutor John O’Higgins described as “an appalling collision”. He said relatives of Mr Shepherd and Miss Crittenden were in court.

Howard, of Carisbrooke Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, is charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, one of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, two of causing death while uninsured, and two of causing death while unlicensed.

Judge Julian Smith said was “very reluctantly” adjourning the hearing to September 9. Unconditional bail was continued.