Uninsured driver fled the scene after hitting boy

An uninsured driver who fled the scene after critically injuring a young boy did not have a licence and had only bought the car earlier that day, a court has heard.

James Doherty, 18, lost control of his BMW when speeding through Lawrence Weston in Bristol.

He hit a bus stop where the boy was waiting, leaving him so badly injured police did not think he would live.

Doherty, whose pregnant wife was also in the car, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and was sentenced to two years and two months in a young offenders' institute.

During the sentencing hearing at Bristol Crown Court on Friday he was also banned from driving for four years and one month, and will have to take an extended driving test after the ban expires.

At the time of the crash, which happened at about 13:50 GMT on 17 November in the Long Cross area of Lawrence Weston, Doherty, of no fixed address, was driving at an "inappropriate" speed, police said.

Officers discovered he had only bought the BMW, which had underinflated rear tyres, earlier that day.

When Doherty hit the bus stop the boy, who was waiting there with a parent, became trapped under the car.

As Doherty and his pregnant wife - who was in the passenger seat - ran away, passers-by had to help lift the car up off the victim.

The boy suffered collapsed lungs, a fractured pelvis, fractured ribs, a spinal fracture and still requires medical care.

In a statement to the court, the boy's mother said his "innocence and boundless joy was stolen from him" on the day of the accident.

"He has spent weeks in the hospital fighting for his life and will spend many more trying to get back to the boy we all know.

She added: "I would never wish this to happen to anyone. This is a lifetime scar for me and my family."

The boy's father, was a short distance away when the collision happened, said the effect of the incident on the family had been "indescribable", leaving them with distressing flashbacks.

Speaking at sentencing, His Honour Judge Peter Blair said Doherty was "utterly cowardly" for fleeing the scene.

The 18-year-old did not hand himself into Patchway Police Station until later that day, where he was arrested. Police said he also had traces of cannabis in his system.

Senior collision investigator David Paniccia-Brown said Doherty showed "no regard" for the victim who he left with "horrendous injuries".

"At the time of the collision we feared the boy would not survive but fortunately he has pulled through, in no small part due to the wonderful care of medical staff at Bristol Children's Hospital and paramedics.

"He will need ongoing medical care, something no little boy should have to go through, as will his parent."

"We want to thank the family for the dignity and composure they have shown throughout this upsetting case, the pain of which both mentally and physically will not end with any court sentence."

The family will continue to be supported by a specially-trained family liaison officer, police said.

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