• Contact us
  • About us
  • Digital edition
  • Online archive
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

    £37.7 million to tackle potholes and upgrade roads

    £37.7 million to tackle potholes and upgrade roads

    Over £38,000-worth of fake goods seized at Appleby Horse Fair

    Over £38,000-worth of fake goods seized at Appleby Horse Fair

    New bid for Appleby stallion sculpture revealed

    New bid for Appleby stallion sculpture revealed

    18th century Eden pub sold as owners retire

    18th century Eden pub sold as owners retire

    Tebay’s plans for battery storage unit

    Tebay’s plans for battery storage unit

    Pub landlord must remove Covid canopy

    Pub landlord must remove Covid canopy

    Flower fairies of Kirkby Stephen brighten people’s day

    Flower fairies of Kirkby Stephen brighten people’s day

    Special needs campsite set to open in Eden

    Special needs campsite set to open in Eden

  • Sport
    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

    £37.7 million to tackle potholes and upgrade roads

    £37.7 million to tackle potholes and upgrade roads

    Over £38,000-worth of fake goods seized at Appleby Horse Fair

    Over £38,000-worth of fake goods seized at Appleby Horse Fair

    New bid for Appleby stallion sculpture revealed

    New bid for Appleby stallion sculpture revealed

    18th century Eden pub sold as owners retire

    18th century Eden pub sold as owners retire

    Tebay’s plans for battery storage unit

    Tebay’s plans for battery storage unit

    Pub landlord must remove Covid canopy

    Pub landlord must remove Covid canopy

    Flower fairies of Kirkby Stephen brighten people’s day

    Flower fairies of Kirkby Stephen brighten people’s day

    Special needs campsite set to open in Eden

    Special needs campsite set to open in Eden

  • Sport
    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
No Result
View All Result
Home News

‘You destroyed a family’ – grieving mum blasts Penrith driver who killed her five-year-old son

by CWH
8 December 2023
in Latest, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Darren Jacques

A banned Penrith driver who killed a much-loved five-year-old boy in a crash tragedy after stopping to buy beer on the way home from work has been handed a six-year prison sentence.

Darren Jacques (42) was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday for causing the death of Layton Darwood by driving while disqualified in Newcastle in August, 2020. Jacques denied the charge but was convicted after a six-day trial.

Jurors heard sub-contractor Jacques’ employer had supplied him with a Ford Transit Tipper and trailer while he was halfway through a 42-month ban, imposed for drink-driving.

Jacques had travelled to Newcastle with colleagues to carry out utility work. Before returning home he stopped off in Fenham to buy a beer.

He got back into the vehicle but was unaware Layton had climbed on to the trailer. When Jacques pulled away, Layton fell and was seriously injured.

In the immediate aftermath, Jacques contacted his employer, who gave him the details of another man to supply to police.

While doctors and paramedics fought to save Layton’s life, Jacques lied about his identity and only came clean when officers from Northumbria police’s motor patrol department requested he use a mobile finger-print scanner.  

A judge ruled Jacques, of Hutton Hill, Penrith, must also serve a six-year driving ban when released from custody.

Layton’s mother, Stephany Bloomer, told in a statement how the impact the tragedy “has had and will continue to have can never be measured or explained”. “Not only did you take my bright, funny and full-of-life Layton, you destroyed a family,” said said, addressing Jacques directly.

“There was no remorse that day, or even for the three years you have dragged this out, for not letting this family grieve and just adding more torment and pain.

“I could talk all day about my wonderful little boy but you don’t deserve to know about a boy you showed no remorse over.

“Nothing — and I mean nothing — can ever take away the trapped screams I hold in my heart, my throat, my stomach. The emptiness of life without Layton in it.

“This is now my life going forward, trying to heal the wounds unseen. So you see, no justice will be served in my eyes as I am left with a lifetime without him, and I’m the one who has to try and rebuild a family you broke.”

Sergeant Russell Surrey, of Northumbria police, said after the sentencing: “Jacques was brazen — not only did he drive while banned and lie to officers, but he refused to accept his guilt and put Layton’s family through the anguish of a trial. He has shown no remorse. 

“We all have a responsibility to drive safely and in accordance with the law. Layton’s death is a stark reminder that a momentary lapse of concentration, or failure to carry out the most basic of checks has the potential to destroy many lives.”

Related Posts

Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith
News

Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

13 June 2025
£37.7 million to tackle potholes and upgrade roads
Latest

£37.7 million to tackle potholes and upgrade roads

13 June 2025
Over £38,000-worth of fake goods seized at Appleby Horse Fair
News

Over £38,000-worth of fake goods seized at Appleby Horse Fair

13 June 2025
New bid for Appleby stallion sculpture revealed
News

New bid for Appleby stallion sculpture revealed

13 June 2025
18th century Eden pub sold as owners retire
Food and Drink

18th century Eden pub sold as owners retire

13 June 2025
Tebay’s plans for battery storage unit
News

Tebay’s plans for battery storage unit

13 June 2025
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Most popular

Flower fairies of Kirkby Stephen brighten people’s day

Flower fairies of Kirkby Stephen brighten people’s day

13 June 2025
Man admits sexually assaulting 16-year-old in Cumbrian town centre

Man admits sexually assaulting 16-year-old in Cumbrian town centre

13 June 2025
Innocent drivers get caught up in police stinger operation

Innocent drivers get caught up in police stinger operation

13 June 2025
Special needs campsite set to open in Eden

Special needs campsite set to open in Eden

13 June 2025
Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

13 June 2025
Pub landlord must remove Covid canopy

Pub landlord must remove Covid canopy

13 June 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Logo

33 Middlegate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 7SY

Phone: 01768 862313
Email: news@cwherald.com

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190
VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • News
  • Sport
  • Farming
  • Property
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Your view

Useful links

  • Contact us
  • Photosales
  • Online archive
  • Buy your paper
  • Digital edition
  • North Lakes Living
  • Advertise
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
Review Your Cart
0
Discount
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal
Total Installment Payments
Bundle Discount
Checkout

 
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • more
    • North Lakes Living
    • Buy Photos
    • Buy your paper
    • About us
    • Contact us

© 2020 Cumberland & Westmorland Herald