A DRIVER has been sentenced after fleeing the scene of a collision which caused a young child serious injuries.

James Doherty, 18, lost control of his BMW at about 1.50pm on Sunday, November 17, in the Long Cross area of Lawrence Weston, Bristol.

The vehicle collided into a bus stop where a woman and her four-year-old stepson were waiting. The boy sustained critical injuries for which he continues to need medical care for. The woman was also injured.

Doherty fled the scene following the collision. He later that same day handed himself into Patchway Police Station, where he was arrested.

During the course of the investigation officers discovered Doherty had bought the vehicle earlier that day.

The boy’s mother, in a statement to the court, said her son’s ‘innocence and boundless joy was stolen from him the day the accident happened’.

She added: “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.”

The boy’s father, who was with the injured pair and a short distance away when the collision happened, said the effect of the incident on the family had been ‘indescribable’. Both him and the injured woman have been experiencing distressing flashbacks since the collision.

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

Doherty, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

At Bristol Crown Court today (Friday, January 31) he was sentenced to two years and two months in a young offenders’ institute. He also received a driving disqualification of four years and one month and will be required to take an extended test after it is completed.

His Honour Judge Peter Blair said Doherty drove at an ‘inappropriate’ speed and was ‘utterly cowardly’ in fleeing the scene.

He acknowledged that Doherty was a young man and had no previous convictions.

Senior Collision Investigator David Paniccia-Brown said: “James Doherty caused horrendous injuries to a young boy and a woman, and then showed no regard for their welfare by fleeing from the scene.

“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 stepmother.

“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. We continue to provide them with support through a specially trained family liaison officer.

“We would also want to thank members of the public who helped at the scene in the immediate aftermath of this incident, helping to free the young boy by overturning the vehicle. It was a hugely distressing scene but they showed kindness and selflessness in a time of crisis and that should be recognised.”