A driver found guilty of causing the death of three of his young passengers in an horrific smash has been warned that a prison sentence is "virtually inevitable".

Amjid Rehman had been showing off to the others in the car before he lost control of his Suzuki Swift on Tarn Lane near Keighley, known locally as the Yorkshire Bumps, in June last year.

After more than seven hours of deliberation a jury yesterday returned guilty verdicts on three counts of Rehman causing death by dangerous driving by a majority of 10-2.

The week-long trial at Bradford Crown Court had been told that Rehman, who was delivering leaflets for a pizza takeaway, was travelling at around 60mph when he launched the car ten metres through the air over one of the small hills in the road.

When it landed one of the rear tyres deflated and Rehman lost control, sending the Swift into a fatal spin. It then clipped one tree before smashing into another, coming to rest on top of a dry-stone wall.

Three of the teenage passengers, Shahkall Rehman and Shabram Jabber, both 14, and 15-year-old Mohammed Azeem, none of whom were wearing seat belts, died in the collision. Judge James Barry released Rehman on bail to await his sentence but warned him that a prison sentence was "virtually inevitable." The trial had been told that Rehman had been showing off to the other passengers as they were driving around Braithwaite before going on to Tarn Lane.

Rehman, 24, of Sefton Place, Keighley, who survived the smash along with two other men, told the court he did not remember anything about the collision but claimed that his driving prior to the crash had been "nice and easy".

Speaking after the trial, the fathers of two of the boys who were killed said they were pleased with the verdict and thanked police officers on the case.

Shabram Jabber's father Karamat Hussain, of North Street, Keighley, said: "It's a relief that he got what he deserves but it does not bring our sons back. I hope other people learn from what happens when people start being silly. If it was not our children it would have been someone else's."

The 40-year-old dad-of-six said Shabram and Mohammed had known each other for two years and were best friends. "I could not have asked for a better son," he said. "His brothers and sisters loved him to bits. It's been hard for them coping with my son's death."

Mr Hussain visits his son's grave, where he is buried alongside the other two boys in Utley Cemetery, every week.

Mohammed Azeem's father Abdul Majad, of Cark Road, Keighley, said: "My wife and daughter are not coping well. Everything reminds them of my son. He was a good son."

The 62-year-old former textiles worker added: "My other son is mentally handicapped and keeps asking where his brother has gone. The last thing he remembers is his brother saying he was going to town to get him a tape player and now he keeps asking when he will come home."

PC John Lawson, of Keighley Traffic, who headed up the investigation, said: "There are no winners or losers in something like this. Three young people have lost their lives but nothing changes for the parents. It does not bring their sons back.

"There are more and more accidents with cars full of young men tragically losing their lives. Hopefully this may make people think twice."

The case was adjourned until next month and Judge Barry made an interim order banning Rehman from driving.