A DRIVER has admitted killing two men in a horror smash.

Rafique Khan, who left 11 children, and father-of-three Aurang Zeb Khan, suffered fatal injuries when a Mercedes driven by Dudley Reilly collided with their car in Accrington.

The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to to charges of causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared via videolink at Preston Crown Court yesterday.

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It was revealed in court the defendant had jumped a red light moments before the crash, which happened at the junction of Hyndburn Road and Oxford Street and also left three others seriously injured.

Following the pleas, Coun Munsif Dad, a friend of both the dead men’s families, said they were still struggling to come to terms with their loss.

He added that it would be a relief that Reilly had admitted the charges and he would be sentenced accordingly.

Nicola Gatto, for Reilly, said her client, of Floyd Road, Ribbleton, admitted he had been driving dangerously.

She told the court: “He left a caravan site and went to a nearby public house and had a drink.

“He then became the driver of the vehicle. We know he went through a red light that had been on red for eight seconds.

“Whether or not this was a prolonged piece of dangerous driving is a relevant issue. The defendant describes the route he took, but it may be of interest to the sentencing judge how long he was on the road for.”

The smash happened around 11.30pm on October 10 as Rafique, 43, and Aurang Zeb, 42, who was driving, made their way north across the busy junction towards Asda.

The Mercedes, which did not belong to Reilly, was travelling west along Hyndburn Road and crashed into the pair. They were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Reilly also admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The defendant also faces two further charges of causing death by dangerous driving unlicensed or disqualified or uninsured driver and two more counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Reilly was remanded in custody and will appear at the crown court again on January 12 when he will have the opportunity to enter pleas on the remaining charges against him. By then, insurance documents and medical evidence must have been provided to the defence and the court.

Miss Gatto added: “Mr Reilly is very keen for me to stress he does not want to prolong the stress on the families.”

Judge Baker said: “I think the issues are likely to remain narrow.

“Indeed it is likely only to be a question of insurance and the extent of the injuries.”

The defendant is due to appear again on January 19.

After the hearing Coun Dad, who is also mayor of Hyndburn, said the victims’ families were still reeling from their loss.

He added: “The families are trying to cope as best they can. It is absolutely tragic.

“They have a lot of support from the police, community leaders and their families, but they are still getting over their grief.

“It is good to here that the conviction has taken place and the families were very conscious to see where this was going to take them.

“They want to see someone who has done wrong punished and so we are glad to hear he had been convicted and will be sentenced accordingly.”