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Walderslade schoolboy feared he would die after biker fled crash on Bradfields Avenue, Chatham

Additional reporting by Sean McPolin

A 12-year-old schoolboy feared he would die after an uninsured motorcyclist rode away after ploughing into him while he was crossing the street.

The rugby-loving youngster was thrown into the air after being hit by a bike in Bradfields Avenue, Chatham.

A 12-year-old boy from Walderslade thought he was 'going to die' after being struck by a motorbike rider in Chatham. Picture: Hana Louise
A 12-year-old boy from Walderslade thought he was 'going to die' after being struck by a motorbike rider in Chatham. Picture: Hana Louise

He was left with two broken leg bones and a hairline fracture of his nose following the incident which happened on May 10 last year.

But as the boy lay in the road rider Richie Allen just rode away leaving his victim in agony, a court heard.

The youngster from Walderslade later told a judge at Maidstone Crown Court in his victim impact statement: "At the time I was really scared and thought I was going to die.

"I couldn't believe it had happened to me. I did not think that I would ever walk again.

"I was really scared. I didn't know what to do so I just laid on the road. My leg felt weird and alien-like.

The schoolboy is still recovering physically and mentally from the incident. Picture: Hana Louise
The schoolboy is still recovering physically and mentally from the incident. Picture: Hana Louise
The rugby-loving youngster was left with two broken bones in his left leg. Picture: Hana Louise
The rugby-loving youngster was left with two broken bones in his left leg. Picture: Hana Louise

He added: "I felt angry that he had left me on the floor in the middle of the road.

"I was shocked that someone would do that to me...and the fact he did not help me just made me feel worse."

The collision was caught on camera and shown to the judge but the 24-year-old father-of-two sat with his head bowed, refusing to look at the TV screens.

The child needed six pins and a plate in his leg and was away from school for a month and is due to have another operation soon.

His mum Hana Louise, 43, from Walderslade, revealed to KentOnline her son, husband and daughter were still mentally and emotionally affected by the ordeal.

"He was just a young lad who was growing and getting his freedom when it happened," she said.

"I was shocked that someone would do that to me...and the fact he did not help me just made me feel worse."

"He's missed out on a lot of school trips and holidays and there's still things he can't do now.

"It's not just affected him physically but mentally and emotionally."

And to the mum-of-two's dismay the busy school road was still being used by "dangerous" motorbike riders when she went to pick her son up from school a couple of weeks ago.

Ms Louise added: "The whole thing is irresponsible as it's right outside a school. It could easily have been worse.

"The man was doing a wheelie, so what if the wheel hit him in the head?"

The incident was caught on camera and shown to the judge with Allen refusing to look at the TV screens.

The crash happened in Bradfields Avenue, Chatham. Photo: Google
The crash happened in Bradfields Avenue, Chatham. Photo: Google

Prosecutor Eleanor Scott-Davies said Allen was seen riding up and down the busy road in Chatham on a motorbike at 8am, performing wheelies and driving at excessive speed.

"There were numerous children in uniform walking to school, including the 12-year-old who was pushing his scooter," she said.

"He then got to a point where he needed to cross and stopped and waited for some time until it was safe to cross.

"As he rode his scooter, which was a birthday present, out into the road, Allen was approaching at speed and collided with the child at great force, propelling him into the air."

Allen also fell off his bike but got up very quickly while the child was lying on the ground.

The court heard he asked if the boy was okay but made no effort to help despite his victim lying in the middle of the road.

Allen escaped an immediate jail sentence after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Maidstone Crown Court. Photo: Stock
Allen escaped an immediate jail sentence after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Maidstone Crown Court. Photo: Stock

Ms Scott-Davies added: "Instead he was caught on camera picking up his motorbike, moving it to the side of the road where he begins checking it over.

"After some time he is seen walking past the schoolboy, who was still lying in the road and then collects an item from the other side of the road.

"At this point the victim told Allen that he needed help but he just got back on his motorbike and left the scene as members of the public ran to the child's aid."

The prosecutor said one passer-by told Allen not to leave the scene but his plea was ignored and he rode away at speed, after trying to blame the child for the accident.

But Allen, of Snowden Close, Chatham escaped an immediate jail sentence after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving, having no licence or insurance and failing to stop after an accident.

Instead, he received a 14 month sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work for the community. He was also given a two year driving ban.

Judge Philip St John Stevens told him: "Some people may think that you callously struck that boy and then drove off.

"But I am of the view that because of your ADHD and autism your leaving the scene wasn't a callous act. However, you don't deserve sympathy."

Khandola, defending, said: "The only mitigation he wants me to put forward is he is very sorry and knows there is no excuse for what he did."

"He was found crying in a field several hours after the incident..later saying 'I can't be more sorry..this happened because of my own stupidity'."

The boy's mum Ms Louise said the sentencing was "disappointing" given the impact the on the family.

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