Driver Sentenced For Death Of 12-Year-Old

A disqualified driver has been given an eight-year prison sentence after killing a 12-year-old boy through driving dangerously.

Daniel Mooney was killed when 33-year-old Andrew Morrow gave him a lift on the back of a scrambler motorbike and the boy fell off.

The judge presiding the case said Mr Morrow was a "significant risk" to the public.

The court was told Belfast man Morrow had driven off after the child fell off the back of the motorcycle.

The boy was thrown under a parked car and died from head injuries.

The accused admitted the charges of leaving the scene and failing to report an accident.

Mr Morrow also pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance.

He was labelled a dangerous offender by the judge.

Mr Morrow was also told that Parole Commissioners would ultimately be responsible for deciding when and under what conditions he will be released.

He will have to serve an extra three years on licence conditions following his release.

20-year-old Dean McComb was also in court in connection with the case. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and walked free from the court, having his 18 month term suspended for three years.

A previous court hearing found the scrambler motorbike was not designed to have a passenger and lacked any foot rests or hand grips for the child to hold onto.

(IT)