Mates killed by 'lunatic' driving

Walter James Delany boasted and showed off for his friends during a 20km drive across North Canterbury, and then killed three of them in a 150 km/h crash, a court was told yesterday.

In the High Court at Christchurch, Justice John Hansen said the Culverden 23-year-old was driving like an exhibitionist and a lunatic, and sentenced him to four years' jail.

"This was exhibitionist driving of the worst sort." Justice Hansen said.

He said three young men - Craig Billingsley, Chris Wellbourn, and Glenn Arscott - had died because of Delany's "selfish stupidity".

The other passenger in the high-powered Subaru Impreza WRX was injured in the crash, and Delany himself was critically injured.

The three killed were in the back seat and apparently not wearing seatbelts.

This month Delany admitted three charges of reckless driving causing death and one of reckless driving causing injury.

As well as the jail term, Delany was disqualified from driving for six years.

- NZPA