A teenage girl has pleaded guilty to killing two star pupils at a top boys’ grammar school who were passengers in her car when she crashed.
Madeleine Lonsdale admitted causing death by careless driving after the collision in the nearby village of Marston on June 20 last year.
Her passengers George Stephenson, 17, and Harrison Carter, 18, died after her Kia Niro hatchback hit a Ford Fiesta on Toll Bar Road, near Grantham, just before 2am.
Lonsdale, 18, from Long Bennington, Lincolnshire, who has no previous convictions, appeared at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, wearing a black jacket, black trousers and a white shirt.
Owing to the seriousness of the charge, the case was sent to Lincoln Crown Court for sentencing, with the hearing to take place on March 13.
District Judge Daniel Church said: ‘This is a case that ought to be sentenced in the crown court.’
Until then, he granted her unconditional bail and also banned her from driving.
Tributes have previously been paid to Mr Stephenson and Mr Carter, who were best friends and both pupils at all-boys grammar academy The King’s School in Grantham.
Madeleine Lonsdale, 18, from Long Bennington, Lincolnshire, has admitted causing death by careless driving after the collision in the nearby village of Marston on June 20 last year
Her passengers George Stephenson (pictured), 17, and Harrison Carter, 18, died after her Kia Niro hatchback hit a Ford Fiesta on Toll Bar Road, near Grantham, just before 2am
Tributes have been paid to Harrison (pictured), who along with George, was a pupil at all boys’ grammar academy The King’s School in Grantham
Mr Stephenson’s family said in a statement: ‘We, as a family, would like to thank everyone for their support at this incredibly difficult time.
‘Losing George in such a tragic accident, has devastated us all, and our lives will never be the same again.
‘He brought so much love and joy to so many people and was a truly kind and caring boy.
‘Whilst we deal with our loss, and the police continue their investigation, we urge people not to speculate on the cause of this accident.
‘Many lives have been shattered and nothing will bring our beautiful boy home.’
Meanwhile, Mr Carter’s family said: ‘We would like to thank everyone, particularly our friends, family, The Kings School and Lincolnshire Police for the compassion and support shown to us following the terrible accident, that took our beloved son Harrison and his best friend George in the early hours of Friday, June 20.
‘Harrison touched so many lives and was a bright, talented and beautiful person, both inside and out. As you can imagine, we are utterly heartbroken.
‘Due to the nature of the accident, many families have been affected and our thoughts are with all those involved.’
Lonsdale, who has no previous convictions, appeared at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, wearing a black jacket, black trousers and a white shirt
Harrison’s family said: ‘We would like to thank everyone, particularly our friends, family, The Kings School and Lincolnshire Police for the compassion and support shown to us’
George’s family said in a statement: ‘We, as a family, would like to thank everyone for their support at this incredibly difficult time’
Condolences also poured in from family, friends and well-wishers to online tribute pages to both boys.
One family friend wrote: ‘Thinking of George today and remembering him as a student waiting at the the gate for it to open so that he could enjoy lunch in town with this friends.
‘Always smiling, popular and kind.’
She continued: ‘Thinking of Harry today and remembering how his smile and gregarious personality lit up a room especially a classroom.
‘His ability to talk to anyone and make them feel special was a gift.’
