Man denies charges after brother and three others killed when car hit lamppost

A man has denied aiding and abetting dangerous driving after his brother and three other men were killed when a car crashed into a lamppost.

Jack Diggle, 23, Benjamin Dooley, 23, Andrew Roberts, 24, and Craig Shackleton-Brady, 26, were all pronounced dead at the scene in Huyton, Merseyside, in July.

At Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, Mr Diggle's brother James Diggle, 27, pleaded not guilty to three counts of aiding and abetting Mr Dooley to cause the deaths of the three other men.

Diggle, of West Derby, Liverpool, was remanded in custody ahead of a trial on 22 February next year.

About 20 family members sat in the public gallery on opposite sides of the court for the short hearing.

Police were called in the early hours of 24 July after a Seat Cupra Formentor crashed in East Prescot Road.

An inquest was opened and adjourned in August.

It heard the four men died of multiple injuries in the single-vehicle collision, which happened at 1.54am on the eastbound carriageway of the road.

In a tribute at the time of their deaths, Jack Diggle's mother said: "Jack was kind, quiet, thoughtful, and loving. He adored his family, and we loved him with all our hearts."

Benjamin Dooley's mother, Kerry, added: "My life has been ripped apart and I don't know how I will do life without you. We did everything together. I'm waiting for you to walk through the door and say 'you ok mum'. You were the kindest person I knew, with a heart of gold."

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Andrew Roberts' partner, Kiera, said: "I never imagined I would ever have to live without you. I am so lost now. You were my whole life, and I don't know how I'm going to cope without you."

And Craig Shackleton-Brady's family added: "Craig was a devoted and loving father to his two children, who were always at the centre of his world. His pride in being a dad shone through in everything he did, and the love he gave his family will continue to live on in their hearts forever."

(c) Sky News 2026: Man denies charges after brother and three others killed when car hit lamppost