Show-off boy racer knocked over child at 75mph in South Yorkshire

CCTV captured James Turvey driving a blue Renault Megane 225 Sport behind Luke Leather's grey Audi RS3, at 8.30pm, on May 4, 2016.

The pair ran a red light on Old Mill Lane roundabout, undertook a black Toyota Prius, on Harborough Hill Road, but slowed for a speed camera, prosecutor Laura Marshall told Sheffield Crown Court.

Leather veered off on to Union Street, while Turvey continued at speed along Sheffield Road, where he hit the boy who was crossing the dual carriageway.

He was thrown into the air and landed on the kerb with both legs fractured, said Ms Marshall.

The boy needed three operations, including one to tackle an infection caused by the screws of a cage put on his right leg for three and a half months.

A surgeon said he will walk with a limp for a time, but there were longer term concerns about damage to his spine.

In a statement, the boy said he was walking home from a local skate park with a friend when the accident happened.

He spoke of the pain he suffered, the time he missed from school and social life, and the fact he would no longer be able to play for his local football team.

The court heard Turvey and Leather were "showing off" as they drove in convoy from Cortonwood Shopping Park, along the Dearne Valley Parkway.

Richard Barradell, mitigating, said Turvey had just turned 21 and was "emotionally immature" at the time.

"He has demonstrated clear remorse," he said. "When he ran from his car back to the scene, he was frantic, shocked and shouting for someone to get an ambulance.

"He will be guilty for what he did to that young boy for the rest of his life. He is desperate to apologise to the boy and his family."

He said it took two years to Turvey to be charged and three years for the case to come to court, Mr Barradell said.

He urged the court to suspend the sentence because of the delay and the impact it would have on Turvey's family business.

Chris Aspinall, mitigating, said Leather, a 21-year-old taxi driver at the time, had previously worked as an ambulance driver.

"He will not trouble the courts again," he said. "He had gone through two advanced driving tests. He has lost his employment. The plea on his behalf is not to lose his liberty."

Turvey, 23, of Darton Lane, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, on May 15, 2019. Leather, 24, of Columbia Street, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at a trial on December 9, 2019.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said the boy's adolescence had been "shattered" and the emotional trauma had been as damaging for him as his physical injuries.

Jailing Turvey for two years and Leather for six months, he described the pair as "immature and inadequate" who "richly deserved" their sentences.Turvey was banned for three years and 11 months, and Leather for 20 months. Both must pass an extended test before driving again.