A teenager charged with causing the deaths of five people, including three children, in a car crash cried as he appeared in court for the first time.

The victims were all travelling in the same car when it collided with a tree in Stonegate Road, Leeds, on Saturday night.

Police described the aftermath of the crash as "catastrophic".

The 15-year-old suspect appeared at Leeds Youth Court on Wednesday to face five counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Image: Brothers Ellis (left) and Elliott (right) died in the crash

The teenager, who cannot be identified, was remanded in custody.


He appeared in the dock wearing a tracksuit and had his left arm in a sling. There were also visible injuries to his right eye.

Brothers Ellis Thornton-Kimmitt, 12, and Elliott Thornton-Kimmitt, 14, died in the crash, along with 15-year-old Darnell Harte, Robbie Meerun, 24, and Anthony Armour, also 24.

Police believe six people were in the stolen black Renault Clio involved in the collision.

Image: Darnell Harte, 15, was also killed

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Griffiths said the emergency services found a scene of "total carnage" when they arrived.

Flowers, balloons, candles and messages of condolence have been left at the site of the crash with relatives and friends paying tribute to those who died.

The teenager who has been charged was taken to hospital in the wake of the smash with serious but not life-threatening injuries.