9:10am Friday 19th March 2010
A SPEEDING teenage driver who left an 11-year-old boy with “life-changing injuries” yesterday walked free from court with a £400 fine and a driving ban.
James Stanley, aged 18, was travelling between 43mph and 48mph in a 30mph zone when the youngster ran out in front of his Renault Clio, Bolton Magistrates were told.
Kristien Dunnington will have learning difficulties for the rest of his life after the accident in Wigan Road, Westhoughton, in September last year, the court heard.
As he approached the pedestrian crossing at the junction with Wearish Lane, at around 4pm on September 11, Stanley saw two young schoolboys waiting to cross the road.
But the court heard Kristien “unexpectedly” ran out in front of the car and the driver was unable to stop in time.
Off-duty police officer Lee Eckersley witnessed the incident, having heard screeching tyres.
The court heard he saw the youngster’s body flying through the air and land in a “sickening manner”.
Prosecuting, Katie McFarlane said: “Officer Eckersley said it was like someone had thrown a rag doll through the air.”
The court heard Stanley, of Old Vicarage, Westhoughton, stopped his car, left his engine running, and sprinted back down the road towards the boy.
Miss McFarlane said the police officer gave first aid to Kristien until an ambulance arrived.
The court heard he suffered a large wound to his head, his skull was visible and he was bleeding heavily.
Asked if he had anything to say, Stanley, who works part-time at a supermarket and is a college student, told the court: “I think about it every day. Every time I go to sleep I see that boy.”
Defending, Stephen McNamara said the speed limit on the road changes from 40mph to 30mph shortly before the junction. He also said the victim did not look to the right before crossing the road. He said it was an “unexpected occurrence”.
Stanley pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention. He was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £400. He must also pay £35 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Magistrate Sandra Sherrington told Stanley: “We are sure that if you could have foreseen the outcome of your speeding on that day you would certainly have made sure you would have kept to the speed restrictions.
“Unfortunately, you did drive too fast and you did collide with Kristien. As a result he suffered serious injuries — they were life-changing, not only to himself but to his family.”
Kristien had only just started at Westhoughton High. He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital and later transferred to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where the court was told he is still recovering.
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