Man accused of causing deaths of Dudley friends Liberty and Ben pleads not guilty

Dhiya Al Maamoury appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and not guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Ebonie Parkes and Ethan Kilburn in Oldbury in November 2022.

Liberty Charris, aged 16, and 19-year-old Ben Corfield, both from Dudley, died after a blue Nissan Skyline hit a number of pedestrians who were gathered on the A457 Oldbury Road near to the junction with Crystal Drive at around 11.30pm on November 20.

Among her injuries Miss Parkes suffered fractures to her hips, leg, and shoulder and collapsed lungs.

Mr Kilburn suffered a fractured pelvis during the incident which happened as people gathered to watch high performance cars drive through the Black Country.

Speaking through an Arabic interpreter, Al Maamoury, aged 55, of Hobs Moat Road, Solihull, spoke to give his pleas and to confirm his name and address.

Judge Michael Chambers KC said: "Mr Al Maamoury, your case is being adjourned to trial as currently listed that will be on February 17, 2025, but we will try and bring that case forward so it is important you keep in touch with your solicitors.

"I am going to renew your bail on condition that you must surrender your travel documents and not reapply for new documents."

Several members of the victims’ families were in court for the preliminary hearing.