A MAN wanted for the deaths of three teenagers following a crash in Essex 35 years ago is finally set to be extradited from Australia.

Three teenagers were killed and a fourth was seriously injured when their Ford Escort was in collision with a sports car, at the bottom of Tenpenny Hill, Thorrington, on August 3, 1974.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday granted a warrant for the arrest of Gerald Nevard, who could now be extradited from Australia.

Nevard, who was 31 at the time, moved to Australia before he could be tried for the offence, but police now want to arrest him for three counts of manslaughter.

The boys’ fathers launched a petition, which was handed to former Prime Minister Harold Wilson, to have Nevard extradited, but the Director of Public Prosecutions said it would be wrong to do so under the extradition treaty.

Sgt Dave Cook, of Stanway Road Policing Unit, said: “Over the years, for whatever reason, it has been decided not to make an attempt to extradite him.

“However, times have changed and following a review of the case, we have given it back to the CPS, which considered there may be an opportunity to extradite him.

“We have always known he was in Australia and have been in touch over the years. The Australian police asked him to come back and face charges, but he never agreed.

“This will now be passed over to the Australian authorities, who will make a decision over whether they are prepared to extradite him.”

Nevard was served with a summons, but failed to appear at Clacton Magistrates’ Court to answer three charges of causing death by dangerous driving.

It was later discovered he had left the country. Car driver Howard Howells, 18, of Redbarn Road, Brightlingsea, and one of his passengers, Brian Holdstock, 17, of Maltings Road, Brightlingsea, died instantly when the cars collided shortly after midnight.

Janet Gilpen, 16, of Roseabelle Avenue, Wivenhoe, died on arrival at Essex County Hospital, while Sasanqua Radclyffe, 14, of Alma Street, Wivenhoe, suffered minor injuries.

The four had been at a disco in Brightlingsea.

Nevard, formerly of Church Road, Thorrington, was trapped in his car for more than an hour before being released by firefighters.

He was taken to hospital after suffering serious facial injuries.

Former Gazette reporter Mike Chaplin, who reported on the inquests into the deaths, said: “The family were very distraught.

“The inquests were held a long time after. The families were very distressed and the coroner was very sympathetic to them.

“They wanted a verdict of manslaughter, but it ended up as accidental death.

“They asked the coroner to get an order to extradite, but he said it was beyond his remit.”

Essex Police said they did not want to make any further comment about the incident until details of any extradition were confirmed.