Man denies hit-and-run girls' deaths

GABOR HEGEDUS

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A MAN has admitted being the the hit-and-run driver of a Peugeot car which caused the death of two schoolgirl cousins crossing the road on New Year's Eve.

Gabor Hegadus (38) admitted being behind the wheel, but has pleaded not guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. He will stand trial in June.

Helena Kotlarova (12) and her 11-year old cousin Zaneta Krokova were  crossing Ashton Road, Hathershaw, at 7.15pm when a Peugeot 807, driven by Hegadus, struck them.

Helena died at the scene; Zaneta two days later in hospital. Hungarian-born Hegadus, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice by trying to dispose of the vehicle and making a false report of its theft.

He has also admitted further counts of failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and not using the vehicle in accordance with its licence. Three other men ­- also Hungarians of no fixed address ­- have also been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

David Orsos (18) has pleaded not guilty to the offence and will also stand trial. An application to dismiss the case against the remaining two men ­- Janos Kalayanos and Zoltan Peto (both 49) ­- will be made by defence lawyers at a crown court hearing next month.

The public gallery at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court was packed with grieving family members of the two young victims as the four men made their appearance in the dock.

Though there was some show of anger, Judge John Potter thanked them for their respectful behaviour at what he said he recognised was a most difficult and emotional time.

Helena, from Montreal Street, was a pupil at the Collective Spirit School in Chadderton, while Zaneta, of nearby Enfield Avenue, attended Oasis Academy.

The pair had just bought sweets and chocolates from the Australia Wines off-licence, andwere crossing Ashton Road near the Copstehill Road junction when the accident happened.

Grief-stricken mourners turned out in force on the day of the girls' funeral at St Paul's Church on Ashton Road on January 17.

The four men were all remanded in custody until they next appear in court on March 31.