York motorcyclist who fractured 12-year-old girl's skull and left her for dead is jailed

Nathan Lofthouse, jailed for hitting a girl in York on his motorbike then hiding the evidence. Picture issued by North Yorkshire Police

The girl was left with a fractured skull and fighting for her life in intensive care after Nathan Lofthouse hit her on Boroughbridge Road in York in June last year.

The victim needed extensive medical treatment with her mother saying her life was "changed forever" by the collision, and has still not been able to return to school more than a year on.

30-year-old Lofthouse failed to stop at the scene, instead riding off leaving her and subsequently hiding his Kawasaki motorbike and clothes to evade justice.

Boroughbridge Road, York, near to the scene of the collision

A major investigation helped piece together evidence and detectives managed to track down Lofthouse and recover the bike, which had drugs in one of the compartments.

Lofthouse, of Askham Croft, was jailed for two years and 10 months at Leeds Crown Court today (Thursday) after pleading guilty at a hearing in May to failing to stop after a collision, perverting the course of justice, having no licence and no insurance and possession of class B drugs - namely cannabis - with intent to supply.

He was also given a 36-month driving ban and the drugs and motorbike have been seized.

In a family statement, the victim’s mother said: “I would like to thank everyone who helped police in their investigation to catch Lofthouse, the people who were there with my daughter at the time of the collision, the four paramedics who attended the scene and family and friends for their continued support.

"Our lives have changed forever.”

Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Jeremy Bartley of North Yorkshire Police's Major Collision Investigation Team said: “This is one of the most serious criminal collisions we have investigated recently, and one of the most complicated to investigate.

“Rather than acting like a grown man, Lofthouse did the most cowardly thing possible – he left a young girl laying on the road with a fractured skull, made his getaway and tried to hide the evidence that he knew would incriminate him.

“Fortunately, many people out there did the right thing and responded to our appeal, sharing information with us. They were appalled to read about what happened and I’d like to thank everyone who got in touch. This information was fed directly into our investigation and it helped us massively.

“This has been a harrowing and drawn-out ordeal for the girl who Lofthouse injured – who has done exceptionally well in her recovery – and her family. But I hope today’s outcome gives them some comfort as they move on with their lives.”