A DRIVER who caused an accident which killed two teenage passengers has been jailed for a year.

Andrew Tock, 20, of Farmanby Close, Thornton-le-Dale, was at the wheel during an accident on the A64 at Golden Hill last year which caused the deaths of Tom Leng and Becki Atkinson, also from Thornton.

Judge Peter Charlesworth told the defendant at York Crown Court yesterday: "This was a terrible tragedy in which two young lives were lost needlessly because of your dangerous driving."

Tock admitted two separate charges of causing death by dangerous driving, and was given two 12-month sentences to run concurrently.

Prosecutor Andrew Dallas told the court that on October 30 last year Tock drove his cousin, Becki Atkinson, and 14-year-old Victoria Cooper to York from Thornton-le-Dale.

"The defendant was 18 at the time and he had just passed his test three months prior," he added.

"They met Tom Leng in York and he agreed to give him a lift back home."

The four teenagers left York and headed for Malton, where Tock was planning to pick up his girlfriend from school, said Mr Dallas.

At around 3pm the accident took place - Tock's Vauxhall Nova struck a kerb and hit a vehicle heading in the opposite direction.

The car was thrown spinning into the air, tossing out Tock and the two girls before landing in a nearby field.

Accident investigators concluded that Tock had been travelling too fast, at anything between 53mph and 76mph, and had lost control when he over-steered.

Judge Charlesworth commended the bravery of a passing motorist who risked his life to pull Tom Leng from the blazing wreckage seconds before the car's fuel tank exploded.

Tom Leng and Becki Atkinson later died of their injuries. Miss Cooper suffered serious injuries but survived.

Steven Garth, defending, said Tock - who was injured - had been "consumed with guilt" since the accident.

"Since the accident he has lost his girlfriend and his job, he has become a recluse and has been put on medication.

"He constantly relives the events of that day in his head and wishes he could have done things differently."

Judge Charlesworth said he understood it had been an accident and that Tock was genuinely sorry.

Tock was also banned from driving for three years.

Ryedale District Councillor for Thornton-le-Dale Wilf Garbutt said: "A lot of people in the village know the families concerned and at the time it was a great shock.

"I hope that from this young drivers will sit up and take note that it is vital they drive safely."

Updated: 10:54 Thursday, December 13, 2001