A disqualified driver has been convicted for inflicting the loss of life of a “blissful little boy” whereas he was out shopping for sweets for a household picnic.
A jury at Newcastle Crown Court docket on Monday discovered Darren Jacques, 42, responsible of killing Layton Darwood on 25 August 2020, when the five-year-old fell off a trailer hooked up to a van Jacques was driving.
Afterwards, Jacques – who was midway by means of a 42-month ban for drink driving – gave the police a false title and repeatedly lied about his identification as emergency providers tried to save lots of Layton’s life.
The boy’s household stated Layton’s loss of life was their “worst nightmare” and Jacques’ conviction was a “bitter candy scenario” in an announcement.
Northumbria Police stated it was happy the jury “noticed by means of the justifications and lies” advised by Jacques, calling the convicted man’s behaviour “fully unacceptable”.
Throughout a six-day trial the court docket heard “distressing particulars” of the investigation in addition to witness testimony from one other baby who was current on the scene of the deadly collision, police added.
A subcontractor, Jacques was driving a Ford Transit Tipper and trailer offered by his employer, and was returning to Cumbria from Fenham, Newcastle when he stopped at a store on Willow Avenue to purchase a bottle of beer.
He returned to the van and commenced driving with out realising that Layton, who was in the identical store with three different youngsters, had climbed on to the trailer earlier than getting caught and falling from it.
Telephone information revealed contact between Jacques and his employer shortly after the collison, throughout which Jacques was supplied with the main points of one other man to provide to the police.
CCTV footage of Darren Jacques shopping for a bottle of beer earlier than killing Layton Darwood
(Northumbria Police)
He continued to lie about his identification for round two hours, at the same time as paramedics and docs tried to save lots of Layton’s life close by.
It was solely after officers requested Jacques to make use of a finger-print scanner that he revealed his actual title.
Later that night time, Layton died in a hospital because of his accidents.
After the decision, Layton’s mom Stephany Darwood stated: “We’re devastated by what occurred and miss Layton past phrases. He was a loving, blissful little boy together with his complete life forward of him and our worst nightmare got here true the day we misplaced him.
“Though some kind of justice has been served at this time it’s a really bitter candy scenario. It has taken an extended, arduous three years with many setbacks and challenges alongside the best way.
“If it had not been for the willpower of my mam and Northumbria Police we’d not be right here at this time, seeing justice be served for Layton.”
Darren Jacques, who killed boy Layton Darwood in a collision
(Northumbria Police)
The investigation’s lead officer Sergeant Russell Surrey of Northumbria Police stated: “To say this case has been devastating could be an entire understatement as shedding Layton has prompted this household unimaginable ache and struggling nobody ought to ever need to undergo. I want to reward the energy and resilience they’ve proven all through the investigation and subsequent court docket proceedings.
“I actually hope at this time can act as that first step in the direction of the closure they deserve and assist them transfer ahead from this terrible, tragic incident.
“I’m happy the jury noticed by means of the justifications and lies advised by Darren Jacques. Regardless of being banned from the roads he was overtly driving in a piece capability and was even in cost of a giant, heavy-duty automobile which he wasn’t skilled or certified to function.
“Not solely that, however as a substitute of admitting what he did, Jacques provided attending officers with the main points of one other particular person in an try to cowl his tracks, however our road-side checks caught him within the act. He had loads of alternatives to confess what he did, however as a substitute has refused to just accept his actions, repeatedly denying what he did and placing Layton’s household by means of the anguish of a trial.
“Jacques’ behaviour was fully unacceptable and I hope he can now mirror on the severity of his actions.
“This case has had a profound impression on everybody concerned, together with the officers and workers who’ve helped deliver Jacques to justice, and it goes with out saying that nobody, particularly a younger baby, ought to ever lose their life on our roads.
“All of us have a duty to drive safely and in accordance with the regulation. Layton’s loss of life is a stark reminder {that a} momentary lapse of focus, or failure to hold out probably the most primary of checks has the potential to destroy many lives.”
Jacques is because of be sentenced on 4 December, because the decide warned him to not count on something lower than a custodial sentence.
