Magistrates at Mid Sussex Youth Court have passed sentence on a 16-year-old who crashed his dad's Nissan Micra into a mobility scooter, seriously injuring its elderly rider, and drove off without calling for help.
The youth, who had not passed his driving test and held no motor insurance, had been driving at 36mph in a 30 zone. Prosecutors maintain the crash wouldn't have taken place had he been driving within the speed limit.
Victim Hilda Foster, 86, broke three major bones in her left leg and right shoulder. Since the accident she has been yo-yoing between hospital and rehabilitation and may never fully recover from her injuries.
"I didn't know what I was doing," said the boy during his court appearance. "Obviously I deserve to get punished for the crime."
He pleaded guilty to careless driving, failing to stop, failing to report an accident and driving with no valid car insurance for young drivers. The boy now faces a two-year driving ban and a nine month referral order. He must also compensate Mrs Foster to the tune of £500.
After sentencing, Ray Winn, presiding at Mid Sussex Youth Court, said: "There's an elderly lady lying injured in the road and you drive away. Are you not disgusted with yourself?"
"Yes I am," came the reply.
Mike Page, Hoot spokesperson and an expert on car insurance for young drivers, said: "It's a terrible thing to have done, but at least this lad sounds genuinely remorseful.
"The sentence will keep him from getting a cheap car insurance quote for a few years - but hopefully it'll also teach him some much-needed restraint."