THE HEARTBROKEN parents of a young father who died in a car smash have paid tribute to their son.

Adam Chadwick, aged 20, died when his white Rover collided with Stephen Hicks' Ford Mondeo on Middlewich Road on May 27 last year.

Wheelock resident Adam was driving home from work towards Crewe when the devastating head-on crash occurred.

Ioan Harding, aged 21, of Ford Lane in Crewe faces a lengthy jail term after being convicted of causing the deaths of Adam and Mr Hicks by driving dangerously.

The trial at Chester heard that Harding and Mr Hicks had been racing at high speeds along Middlewich Road in the early hours of May 27.

Mr Hicks was on the wrong side of the road when he lost control near Alvaston Hall and spun into Adam's oncoming Rover.

Adam, an innocent bystander, had no chance of steering out of Mr Hicks' path. Both men died in the collision.

Harding denied racing, speeding and driving dangerously.

He was found guilty of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving by unanimous verdict after a six-day trial.

Outside court, Adam's family said in a statement: "We have waited 12 months for Ioan Harding to be brought to justice.

"It was his actions and those of Stephen Hicks that led to the tragic death of Adam.

"This was an unnecessary loss of life due to their racing and dangerous driving.

"Adam was a happy-go-lucky young man in the prime of his life with everything to live for.

"The saddest part of all is that his three-year-old son has lost his father.

"We would like to thank all those involved in bringing this man to account for his actions.

"A special thanks to family and friends for their support. The last 12 months have not been easy for us.

"We can only hope the sentence reflects the gravity of this incident."

Adam's family wept as the verdict was read out to an emotionally-charged courtroom on Tuesday.

Kerrie Highfield, Stephen Hicks' girlfriend, and dad Phillip Hicks said: "Everyone in our family is deeply sorry for Adam's family, his little child and his mum and dad.

"We accept that Stephen was racing but it is nice to know the other party was brought to justice."

For full details of the court case turn to p11.