A Penrith man has been convicted of causing a five-year-old boy’s death in a horror road tragedy which occurred while he was banned from driving.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that subcontractor Darren Jacques (42), of Hutton Hill, was in the city with colleagues to carry out utility work in the Fenham area. On 24th August, 2020, he was about to return alone to Cumbria in a Ford Transit Tipper and trailer he was not trained or qualified to operate when the tragic collision with youngster Layton Darwood occurred.
Jacques stopped at a shop to buy a bottle of beer and then began driving. He was seemingly unaware that Layton — who had been in the store at the same time — had climbed on to the trailer, before getting caught and falling from the vehicle.
Witnesses described desperate attempts made to save Layton’s life and administer CPR before paramedics arrived.
Telecoms data later recovered by police revealed contact between Jacques and his employer in the moments following the devastating collision. This revealed he had been given details of another man’s identity to supply to police.
Jacques continued to lie about his identity for around two hours while doctors and paramedics attempted to save Layton’s life nearby.
But it was only when attending officers from Northumbria police’s motor patrols department asked him to use a mobile finger-print scanner that he confessed his real identity, and was arrested.
Layton died in hospital later that night as a result of his injuries.
A jury heard Jacques had been provided with the tipper and trailer by his employer — despite being halfway through a 42-month ban imposed after he was convicted of drink-driving.
Jacques denied causing Layton’s death by driving while disqualified but was convicted on Monday following a six-day trial. He is due to be sentenced on 4th December, was bailed in the meantime and told by a judge to expect a prison sentence.
A statement issued by Layton’s mother, Stephany, on behalf of the family read: “We are devastated by what happened and miss Layton beyond words. He was a loving, happy little boy with his whole life ahead of him and our worst nightmare came true the day we lost him.
“Although some sort of justice has been served, it’s a very bitter sweet situation. It has taken a long, hard three years with many setbacks and challenges along the way.”
Speaking after the trial, the officer in charge of the case, Sergt Russell Surrey, of Northumbria Police, said: “To say this case has been devastating would be a complete understatement as losing Layton has caused this family unimaginable pain and suffering no one should ever have to go through.
“I would like to praise the strength and resilience they have shown throughout the investigation and subsequent court proceedings. I am pleased the jury saw through the excuses and lies told by Darren Jacques.”
The officer added: “He had plenty of opportunities to admit what he did but instead has refused to accept his actions, repeatedly denying what he did and putting Layton’s family through the anguish of a trial.
“Jacques’s behaviour was completely unacceptable and I hope he can now reflect on the severity of his actions.”
