A man has pleaded guilty to a string offences after two people were killed in a crash on the M25 between St Albans and Watford earlier this year.

What else do we know about the incident so far?

What happened?

On Sunday, February 4, Hertfordshire police officers spotted a white Citroen Dispatch on the M1 which had been reported as stolen.

A short time afterwards, the officers activated their vehicle’s lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the driver of the van.

This was quickly abandoned though, as the officers assessed the risk of continuing was too high. Shortly before 4am, a second pursuit took place on Breakspear Way, which was also abandoned.

The Comet:

A short time later, the van was then seen by a police officer travelling on the wrong side of the M25.

At approximately 4.08am, the van was involved in a collision with the three other vehicles, a silver DFSK 580 Glory, a silver Skoda Superb and a black Peugeot 5008, between  Junctions 22 for London Colney and 21A for St Albans.

Who were the victims?

Zoe Hawes, a 39-year-old from Canvey Island in Essex, and Fahad Dek, 23 and from Enfield, were both killed in the crash.

Detective Inspector Mark Fraser, from Essex Police, said: “Our thoughts remain with the victims’ families.

"They have been through an unimaginable ordeal and we continue to provide them with any support they require."

The Comet: Zoe Hawes and Fahad Dek were both killed in the crash.Zoe Hawes and Fahad Dek were both killed in the crash. (Image: Herts police)

Who was charged?

On February 20, police charged Barancan Nurcin, aged 22, of High Road in Tottenham, with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

After originally appearing in court the following day, he was scheduled to be at St Albans Magistrates' Court on March 28 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

What happened in court?

He appeared at St Albans Crown Court on March 26, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, two counts of causing death while unlicensed and two counts of causing death while uninsured.

When will he be sentenced?

Nurcin will be sentenced on Friday, May 31.

"Nurcin caused the loss of two lives on that day but he has broken many more lives by his actions. He can expect to spend a significant length of time behind bars," said Detective Inspector Mark Fraser, from Essex Police.

Is the investigation continuing?

The circumstances behind the crash are being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and a criminal investigation has been led by Essex Police.