Jag owner refutes 113mph deaths 'evidence'

The owner of a luxury car involved in a horrifying death crash told a court he doubted the vehicle's "black box" evidence.

John Nichols's friend Mary Butres was driving his Jaguar XJ8 when she lost control after hitting standing water on the A1 at Great Ponton, near Grantham.

She hit Mark Crompton and Jodie Brown's Ford Fiesta, which had broken down near the central reservation.

The couple themselves were then hit and killed, Nottingham Crown Court heard.

The Jaguar's internal computer allegedly later showed Butres was travelling at 113mph.

Giving evidence, Nichols said he assumed Butres was driving at between 60 and 80mph.

Nichols said it would have been "totally irresponsible" to drive at the speed alleged by the recorder.

"I personally have never been above 100mph in any car. I didn't know what speed we were doing, so I was not agreeing to anything."

Butres (47) of St Mary's Street, Stamford, and Nichols (58) of Manor Road, Carlby, deny two charges of causing death by dangerous driving.

The trial continues.

For more court cases, see Thursday's Echo.