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Two people have appeared in court charged with causing the deaths of two young brothers after they were struck by a car.

Robert Brown, 53, and Gwendoline Harrison, 41, were arrested after brothers Corey and Casper Platt-May, aged six and two, were killed in a collision in Coventry on Thursday.

They have both been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and other offences.

Corey was holding his mum Louise's hand and Casper was riding in a Mini Cooper toy car when the incident happened.

(Image: Caters) (Image: SWNS.com) (Image: SWNS.com) (Image: SWNS.com)

Appearing at Coventry Magistrates Court, sitting at Warwickshire Justice Centre in Leamington Spa today, both Brown and Harrison were wearing grey t-shirts during the ten-minute hearing.



They spoke only to confirm their names, ages, addresses and nationalities.



No family members were present.



Chair of the bench John Martin said: "These matters will be sent to the Crown Court, sitting here in Leamington on March 22, 2018.



"You will not appear in person, you will be via video-link.



"With regard to bail you will be remanded in custody until that date."

In a statement released by police, grief-stricken Mrs Platt-May told how "amazing" Corey loved football and school, and "cheeky" Casper was "so loving and caring" and had a smile that "could light up any room".

(Image: PA) (Image: PA)

(Image: Tristan Potter/SWNS.com)

(Image: PA)

The mum said: "Corey was an amazing boy. He never kept still, always had to be doing something and coming up with new ideas of things to do.

"He loved school more than any kid I know. His favourite subject was maths. But his main passion in life was his football.

"He has been playing for a local team since he was four but since the day he could hold a ball he was never without one.

"He will be deeply missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him."

Statement from West Midlands Police Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the Collision Investigation Unit at West Midlands Police, said: "It is always tragic to lose loved ones, especially when so young, and we are continuing to offer our support to family members at such a devastating time. "We are very appreciative of the overwhelming help we have received from the public during our investigations to date; and we continue to ask anyone with information who has not already spoken to us to get in touch with us."

Both boys were rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital. Casper died a short time later while Corey was rushed into surgery but did not survive. Their mum was unhurt.

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(Image: PA)

Heartbroken relatives have told how the "funny" and "bright" siblings were on a family outing to a local park when the incident happened in front of seven other youngsters - their two brothers and five cousins - who were left traumatised.

Granddad Kim May, 51, who left a card and a football at a roadside memorial, said: "Corey was a big football fan, and loved Man United. I can't believe what has happened."

He added: "The boys were my heart and soul - they were happy, lovely jolly boys. They'd doing anything, they were just very happy, lovely boys and their lives have been taken away so young. I don't know what to say, it's crazy.

"Corey was very gifted footballer at a young age. Casper was like any two-year-old, Corey loved his football and played it every Saturday."

A damaged black Ford Focus was found abandoned near the scene.

(Image: Tristan Potter/SWNS.com) (Image: PA) (Image: Getty)

The family thanked witnesses - including an off-duty doctor and paediatric nurse - who tried to save the boys and looked after the other children as the tragedy unfolded.

Casper and Corey's aunt, Chelsea Platt-May, 27, said: "The boys did everything that were supposed to do, we were all in a line, we all checked both ways, we did what we were supposed to do.

Paying tribute to her nephews, she added: "Corey was energetic, artistic, bubbly, everyone was so proud because he was made man of the match a couple of weeks ago.

"The youngest was a cheeky, mischievous toddler, very close with my child. But we are all tight and close together."

(Image: Tristan Potter/SWNS.com) (Image: Tristan Potter/SWNS.com) (Image: PA)

Brown and Harrison are both accused of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Brown of Wyken, also faces charges of driving while disqualified, no insurance and otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Harrison, also of Wyken, also faces a common assault allegation.