The father of one boy killed in the crash said the guilty verdict was what Rehman deserved.

Karamat Hussain, father of Shabram Jabber, hoped other young people would realise the dangers of behaving in the same way.

Mr 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 this what happens when people start being silly. If it was not our kids it would have been someone else's."

Mr Husain and Abdul Majad, father of Mohammed Azeem, both said they were pleased with Wednesday's verdict and thanked police officers on the case.

Father-of-six Mr Hussain, 40, said the two boys 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, 62, of Cark Road, Keighley, said his son's death had deeply affected his family.

He said: "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.

"My wife and daughter are not coping well. Everything reminds them of my son. He was a good son."

PC John Lawson, of Keighley traffic police, 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."

Keighley councillor Khadim Hussain yesterday urged sympathy for Amjid Rehman following his conviction for causing the three boys' deaths.

Cllr Hussain said: "I know this young man and he's a very nice chap. He's a married man, decent and very religious.

"He was very badly injured. It's very unfortunate that he's having to live with a criminal conviction as well as the memory of what happened."

Cllr Hussain believed the parents of the three boys did not feel any recrimination against Rehman, because they believed the boys' deaths to be the will of God.