Banned driver hits boy of three and reverses over him

A BANNED driver reversed over a three year-old boy after his car hit him, then sped away, a court heard.

Lewis Ruddock suffered a fractured skull, punctured lung and a broken leg after being struck by uninsured driver Andrew Browne.

Browne, 30, stopped after the impact but reversed at speed as the boy lay under the vehicle and left the scene.

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Leeds Crown Court heard Browne, who had been banned from driving, was not at fault for the initial collision after the youngster ran in front of the vehicle.

But he was told in was “inconceivable” that his actions in reversing could not have added to the injuries.

Lewis had to be taken to intensive care but has managed to make a “miraculous” recovery.

Nigel Hamilton, prosecuting, said the incident happened on Foundry Mill Lane, Seacroft, Leeds, on May 15 last year.

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The youngster was with his mother Jayne Day when he slipped her grip and ran in front of Browne’s uninsured Seat Leon.

After the collision she shouted and banged on the car and told Browne to reverse as the youngster was trapped under the vehicle.

Mr Hamilton said: “The prosecution accept that at this point of the initial impact the defendant had not driven dangerously.

“But it is what the defendant did next that the prosecution submit is the dangerous driving charge.

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“He reversed without hesitation, running over Lewis with his front wheel, causing him to roll underneath the car and remain in the road.”

A day earlier Browne had stolen a designer handbag from a woman as she stopped at a petrol station in Huddersfield.

Browne, who had insured the Seat in his father’s name, handed himself in after the incident involving Lewis.

But while on bail he was involved in a high speed police chase in Mirfield in which he collided with a car and ploughed into a wall.

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Browne, of Jacinth Court, Huddersfield, admitted two offences of dangerous driving, three of driving while disqualified, three of no insurance, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident, failing to stop for police, theft and possession of cannabis.

The court heard how he has driving offences dating back to when he was aged just 12. He has committed 88 previous offences including serving an eight year sentence for armed robbery.

Recorder Andrew Stubbs jailed him for three years and 10 months. He told him: “It appears to this court that you treat your orders not to drive with complete contempt.

Philip Standfast, for Browne, said he had written a letter to Lewis and his family expressing remorse for what he had done.

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