Behind bars

Gabor Hegedus

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FOUR MEN involved in a desperate cover-up hatched after two young Oldham girls were mown down in a hit and run crash on New Year's Eve, have been jailed for a total of more than ten years.

The driver of the Peugeot 807 vehicle that hit 12-year old Helena Kotlarova and her 11-year old cousin Zaneta Krokova as they crossed Ashton Road, Hathershaw, after buying sweets and chocolates from a local off-licence, has been sent down for four years. Gabor Hegedus (39), was driving at a speed of at least 40mph in a 30mph zone at the time, giving him less than two seconds to react when he spotted them in front of him.

Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court was told that Hegedus who did not even have a valid driving licence and has a string of convictions in his native Hungary, including robbery, motoring and dishonesty offences, braked and swerved, but was unable to avoid hitting the youngsters.

Then instead of immediately pulling up, he drove on without stopping, as did two friends following right behind him in a white Citroen van: David Orsos (19), and Janos Kalanyos (50).

They drove at speed straight to the address on Edith Street, Oldham where they lived together, and quickly came up with a plan to dispose of the Peugeot and then claim it had been stolen.

Orsos, as the only one of the Hungarians to speak English, made the call to police pretending to be Hegedus, but within hours they were all under arrest, along with a fourth man also living at the house, Zoltan Peto.

By this time Hegedus had also shaved off his beard to help avoid being recognised.

Judge John Potter told them he did not know if he had sufficient powers to recommend their deportation, but he said if he had, he did so.

He told a packed courtroom that before sentencing he wanted to pay tribute to the two young victims of the tragedy, of whom he said: "They were clearly two very special young people."

He described Helina (12), as a "lovely, lively and kind child who brought great happiness to her family" saying Zaneta had been a popular youngster who had a "heart of gold."

He said: "As a result of this incident on New Year's Eve, the lives of these two happy and kind children were taken away, and their families' bright hopes for their futures extinguished."

He said: "Any loss of life leaves behind a sense of longing, that it happened so needlessly, makes it even worse."

Judge Potter praised the "commendable fortitude and bravery" with which the mothers of the two victims, choking back tears, had expressed their feelings in court about what had happened, and its effects on them.

He added: "Perhaps - just perhaps - these proceedings may bring a small sense of closure."

Friends

The court had been told that the two youngsters who had been the closest of friends, had gone out to the shop just minutes from their home to buy sweets while their parents were making preparations for a family party to celebrate New Year.

A CCTV video clip of the horrific impact was shown, but some family members had to leave the courtroom finding it too distressing to watch.

Helena died at the scene and Zaneta died two days later in hospital.

Hegedus pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by careless driving, and attempting to pervert the course of public justice.

David Orsos who admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice for his role in the cover-up was jailed for 20 months, and Zoltan Peto (49), who pleaded to the same charge was sent down for 25 months.

Janos Kalanyos who pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice by giving Hegedus a false alibi was sent down for 21 months.

Nicola Gatto for Hegedus said he wanted to stress how truly sorry he was, and said he would forever live with the guilt.

After the hearing, senior investigating officer, Sgt Lee Westhead, said: "Hegedus has remained utterly remorseless throughout this investigation and repeatedly lied to police.

"I can only hope the families of both girls can now attempt to rebuild their lives."