Stockport County sign death-crash footballer

A footballer who killed a brother and sister in a horror car smash has signed a contract to play for Stockport County FC.

Former Manchester City youth player Courtney Meppen-Walter, 21, spent eight months behind bars after Kulwant Singh, 32, and his sister Ravel Kaur, 37, from Salford , died when the player’s car smashed into their Nissan Micra.

The defender was sentenced to 16 months by a judge after he admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving. Mrs Kaur’s two teenage sons were also injured.

Meppen-Walter, from Blackley , was said to have been speeding at nearly twice the 30mph limit when his Mercedes ploughed into Mr Singh’s car at the junction of Great Ducie Street and Sherborne Street, near Strangeways in Manchester , in September 2012. He was jailed in February 2013.

The player was originally released early in July 2013 but immediately recalled after it was realised he was freed in error. He remained behind bars until he served half of the sentence.Stockport County, who play in the National League North, announced the signing today.

Meppen-Walter is a former England youth international who played 17 times for his country and captained England at Under-18 level.

After leaving Manchester City he signed for Carlisle United in November 2013 and spent two years at Brunton Park, scoring two goals in 34 appearances. He left Carlisle last year and joined Chorley following a brief spell at Ashton United.

County manager Jim Gannon said Meppen-Walter was ‘hungry to get his career going’ and said he has ‘matured greatly from his life and career experiences’.

He said: