A TEENAGE motorist has been jailed for three years and banned from driving for five years after admitting causing the deaths of two people in a 'catastrophic' crash.

Chester Crown Court heard on Wednesday that Stephen Joynson, of Brookway, Hartford, crashed into the black Toyota Selica of Golborne couple John and Madeline Unsworth at 92mph.

Nineteen-year-old Joynson, who had passed his driving test only 12 weeks earlier, was speeding down the A54 at Kelsall Hill in the direction of Tarvin when the Unsworths' car pulled out in front of him at the Chester Road junction.

Prosecuting barrister David Potter said: 'One witness estimated Mr Joynson overtook him approaching the junction at 90-95 miles per hour. It was 12.15pm and although the weather and visibility were good, the road was busy with traffic.

'As Mr Joynson approached (the junction), a 4x4 vehicle pulled across, but witnesses say Mr Joynson did not break at this point.

'His car struck the Unsworths' pulling out behind the 4x4 at a speed of around 92 miles an hour at such a force as to create a catastrophic impact.'

Barry Grennan, defending, said: 'Stephen Joynson admits that his driving was at least in part to blame for the deaths of two road-users.'

Mr Grennan explained that Joynson and his Hartford girlfriend, who was also in the car, were seriously injured in the crash. Joynson suffered punctured lungs and a broken collarbone and spent time recovering in intensive care.

Mr Grennan said: 'He feels high remorse and empathy with the Unsworths and is suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression, as well as experiencing regular nightmares.

'He accepts he is going to prison, even though it is clear that the actions of the Unsworths also played a part in this accident, but although custody will not be easy for him, the most demanding thing he now faces is living with the memory of the accident for the rest of his life.'

Sentencing Joynson, Judge Elgan Edwards said: 'I am aware that the Unsworths seem to have played a part in causing this accident, but people do unwise things when driving, which is one of the reasons we have speed limits.

'Although that stretch of road may encourage people to drive too fast that is no excuse - Mr Joynson drove too fast to take the mistakes of other motorists into account.

'I am aware that there were no other factors and I am also aware of mitigating factors including the age of Mr Joynson, the fact of his quick guilty plea and the devastating effect of the accident on him, as revealed by subsequent psychological tests.

'Bearing this in mind, I have reduced the sentence, but it must still be considerable. The court extends its deepest sympathies to the relatives of the Unsworths, Mr Joynson and his family.

'It was a tragedy for both families.'