Boy, 14, on e-scooter who struck ‘amazing’ grandmother and caused her death avoids custody

Published

2 years ago

March 8, 2023

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A 14-year-old e-scooter rider who caused the death of an “amazing” grandmother after colliding with her on a pavement won’t be detained in custody.

The judge said the “tragic incident” was avoidable as “this mode of transport should not be there”.

Pedestrian Linda Davis, 71, was struck by the boy and suffered a severe head injury on 2 June last year.

The “very youthful, lively” pensioner died in hospital six days after the collision on Southwell Road East, Rainworth, Nottinghamshire.

The child, who had no previous convictions, admitted last month to causing death by driving a vehicle without a licence, and another of causing death by driving a vehicle while uninsured.

He was handed a 12-month referral order and was disqualified from driving for five years.

It is believed Mrs Davis could not have been seen by him before being hit as he travelled on a privately-owned e-scooter at about 20mph along the pavement past several parked cars, a court heard.

Prosecutor Kelly Shooter told Nottingham Youth Court: “According to a witness, Mrs Davis stepped out from behind a Ford Transit van into [the boy’s] path.

“It is likely that Mrs Davis, as she walked behind it, would not have been able to be seen, so it seems very likely that Mrs Davis did step out from behind the transit van into [the boy’s] path.”

After the collision, the Nottinghamshire boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stayed at the scene and called 999. He also said he was “sorry”.

District Judge Leo Pyle said: “Pavements are for pedestrians, and people in wheelchairs, or babies in prams. They are supposed to be free of vehicles of any type.”

‘As soon as you’re riding one, you have to be responsible’

Mrs Davis’ daughter, Rebecca Williams, said in a statement: “I want people to make sure they are fully aware of the laws regarding the use of an e-scooter and the harm they can cause if they are ridden illegally or in a dangerous or anti-social manner. As soon as you’re riding one, you have to be responsible.”

She paid tribute to her mother, saying she was “a very youthful, lively and amazing nan” who was a “vibrant soul that loved life and family fiercely”.

Mrs Williams said: “To watch your children watch someone they love die is a pain I would not wish on anyone. My heart was broken and I never expected to lose my mum in such a devastating way.

“Each time that my nine-year-old bumps his head, he is scared he is going to die.

“We will never forget the pain that he [the scooter rider] caused that day.”

‘Boy’s great remorse’

Deborah Bell, mitigating, said the boy had shown “positive behaviour” throughout the proceedings. “He showed great remorse for his actions and continues to do so,” she said.

The boy’s parents, who attended court, must pay £85 costs and a £26 victim surcharge and were both handed six-month parenting orders.

It is illegal to use privately-owned e-scooters on pavements, footpaths, cycle tracks and cycle lanes, according to the Department for Transport (DfT).

To be used on public roads and in public spaces lawfully, they must conform to a number of requirements – including having a licence, insurance and tax.

But the DfT states “it is likely that they [riders] will find it very difficult to comply with all of these requirements”, meaning their use on public roads is effectively a criminal offence.

They can be used on private land, with the landowner’s permission.

Some 1,300 e-scooters are available for hire in Nottingham under a government-backed scheme.

Trials of e-scooter use are also taking place in 31 regions across England.

UK

Boy, 14, stabbed to death on bus in Woolwich, southeast London

Published

4 hours ago

January 7, 2025

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Boy, 14, stabbed to death on bus in Woolwich, southeast London

A 14-year-old boy has been stabbed to death on a bus in Woolwich, in southeast London.

Police were called around 2.30pm to reports of a stabbing on a bus on Woolwich Church Road near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road.

A boy who police said had received stab wounds was treated by paramedics, but he died at the scene shortly after they arrived.

Officers have launched an investigation into the incident.

No arrests have been made so far but police are appealing for witnesses of the incident on the 472 bus.

A cordon and road closures were in place as of shortly before 5pm.

UK

Liverpool hospital declares critical incident over ‘exceptionally high’ demand on A&E amid rising flu cases

Published

8 hours ago

January 7, 2025

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Liverpool hospital declares critical incident over 'exceptionally high' demand on A&E amid rising flu cases

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital has declared a critical incident due to “exceptionally high” demand on A&E and patients being admitted to wards.

The hospital said there had been a spike in people with flu and respiratory illnesses going to emergency departments in recent weeks.

The number of people in England’s hospital with flu quadrupled in the last month, according to NHS data.

A spokesperson for the hospital said it had a “comprehensive plan in place” and was “taking all the necessary actions to manage the challenging circumstances”.

“We are working with partner organisations to ensure those that are medically fit can leave hospital safely and at the earliest opportunity,” they added.

The hospital warned some people would experience delays as it prioritises the sickest patients.

People whose case isn’t an emergency are being asked to see their GP, pharmacy or walk-in centre – or call the 111 service for advice.

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is in the city centre and is the biggest hospital in Merseyside and Cheshire.

Declaring a critical incident can happen when a hospital is experiencing exceptional demand, or sometimes if there is a serious problem with staffing levels.

It indicates it can’t function as normal and allows it to take extra measures to protect patients, such as prioritising the most unwell people and getting support from other agencies.

It could last hours, a few days, or weeks if necessary.

A critical incident was also declared on Friday by the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board.

It said it had seen almost four times as many inpatients compared with last year and urged people with flu to avoid going to A&E.

There have been warnings this winter of a so-called “quad-demic”– with flu, vomiting bug norovirus, COVID and RSV circulating at the same time.

The NHS provides vaccinations against three of the four; flu, COVID-19 and RSV (a common cause of chest infection in babies).

UK

Zendaya and Tom Holland engagement rumours swirl after Golden Globes

Published

9 hours ago

January 7, 2025

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Zendaya and Tom Holland engagement rumours swirl after Golden Globes

Zendaya and Tom Holland are rumoured to be engaged after the 28-year-old actress appeared at the Golden Globes wearing a massive diamond ring on her left ring finger.

They met after working together on 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming and confirmed their relationship in 2021.

Sky News has contacted representatives for Zendaya and Holland for comment.

Zendaya chatted to journalists on the Globes red carpet, where she was nominated for best actress in a musical or comedy for her role in the romantic sports drama Challengers.

Despite being pipped to the prize by Demi Moore, who won for her role in body horror The Substance, there was plenty of buzz around Zendaya’s large diamond ring, which was clearly visible throughout the show.

A Los Angeles Times reporter appeared to ask Zendaya about it, holding up her own engagement ring and pointing to it. Zendaya responded by showing her left-hand ring.

The reporter then asked if the actor was engaged and “she kept showing her ring, smiled coyly and shrugged her shoulders mysteriously”.

Holland, who is also 28, wasn’t at Sunday’s Globes.

Zendaya wore an orange Louis Vuitton ball gown, and diamond jewellery from Bulgari – for which she’s an ambassador – on the Globes red carpet.

But while the Dune star’s other jewellery items were listed in a press release, there was no mention of the ring on her left finger.

Zendaya, who rose to fame after her breakout role in Disney sitcom Shake It Up, became a household star after starring in Euphoria.

Tom Holland, who is the son of British actor/comedian Dominic Holland, won a role in Billy Elliot The Musical as a child, and has gone on to achieve global fame playing Spider-Man in six Marvel Cinematic Universe movies.