A mum has hit out at a hit and run driver who flung her son into the windscreen of his own car almost two years ago.
Matthew Baker was on his way to McDonald's when his blue Renault Clio was hit by a David Hargreaves' Vauxhall Astra van at a red light on Bispham Road in Southport at around 11.30pm on Monday, June 14, 2021. The 17-year-old at the time suffered a concussion as well as shock and was later treated at hospital.
Now 19, Matthew has spent 18 months trying to get over the incident, with his mum, Dawn Baker, telling the ECHO: "Matthew's still quite numb because he was dragged him through the courts instead of him [Hargreaves] just telling the truth.
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"I'm disgusted, he should be ashamed of himself. He has no idea of the upset he has caused, it's shameful.
"Matty's had a lot of problems as a result of what happened. He's back driving and he's got a good job."
Following extensive police enquiries and with valuable assistance from the victim’s family and the public, Hargreaves was identified and charged with the offences. David Hargreaves, 48, of Southport Road, Scarisbrick was sentenced on Wednesday, January 12, 2023, to nine months disqualification, 12 months community order, 200 hours unpaid work, £800 costs and £95 victim surcharge.
Matthew, who now works as a thermal engineer, had only been driving for five months when he was hit in the crash, with Dawn telling the ECHO at the time the force sent her son "flying" into the windscreen of his car.
Matrix Roads Policing Sergeant, Christine Walker said: “For Hargreaves to drive off from such a serious collision without a thought as to the condition of the other driver beggars belief. Hargreaves pled not guilty causing the victim to endure the stress of having to give evidence at trial and even though he was found guilty it does not make up for the shock and injuries to his young victim, who went through an awful ordeal in 2021.
"We are continuing to support the family and I’d like to thank them and those members of the public who shared information, to ensure Hargreaves was brought to justice. CCTV, dashcam, doorbell footage and witnesses all mean that it is highly unlikely that people can get away with such flagrant disregard for those who damage vehicles, injure road users and attempt to leave the scene.”
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