Man jailed after killing 'vibrant, beautiful girls' in Frome crash
40-year-old Thomas Lenthall, of no fixed address, has been sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving
A man will spend the next 10 years behind bars following the death of 'the most vibrant, fun-loving, beautiful girls' in a high-speed crash earlier this year in Frome.
40-year-old Thomas Lenthall, of no fixed address, was handed a decade-long sentence today (December 14) at Bristol Crown Court following his guilty plea of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
He must serve at least two-thirds of this sentence.
The court heard how he had been driving in excess of 100mph along the A361 Frome Bypass on Tuesday 25 July when his car, a Audi RS6, collided with a VW Polo.
Madison and Liberty North, known as Maddie and Libby, were celebrating Maddie's graduation, which was due to take place the following day, with family at their home nearby.
They'd left to get some soft drinks from the local shop when their car crashed with Lenthall's - and both died at the scene.
He was taken to hospital with serious injuries and was later arrested and charged.
'It is every parent's worst nightmare'
In a powerful victim personal statement from their parents, Verity and Jason North, said: "Maddie, her sister Libby and the whole family were so excited and proud she was graduating as a teacher, achieving her childhood dream.
"Family were invited, the party was arranged, everything felt perfect.
"On the evening of the 25th, Maddie and Libby popped out for a Coke, and they never came home.
"It is every parent's worst nightmare - their lives were taken. Our innocent, precious daughters, at such young ages, were just beginning to live their best lives and fulfil their dreams.
"In a heartbeat, everything changed. They had been killed by the reckless dangerous driving of another."
At the time of the crash, he was overtaking another car - which is when he collided into the car Maddie and Libby were in.
His Honour Judge James Patrick said the world of the North family had 'fallen apart' after their loss, and in sentencing, ordered that Lenthall should serve a minimum two-thirds of his sentence, and disqualified him from driving for seven years.
Lead investigator from the Collision Investigation Unit, Carl Derosa, said: "This is a tragic case where two young ladies, with their whole lives ahead of them, were cruelly taken too soon from their parents and family.
"The reckless actions of one man has left two parents without their children and a hole in their lives which no sentence will be able to fill.
"I can only hope this sentence will go some way to providing justice for Maddie and Libby's family.
"My team worked through the night to bring this case before the courts so quickly and we thank everyone for their support in making this sentence possible.
"I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to Jason and Verity and I hope Lenthall understands the ramifications of his actions that day."