Banned driver killed boy, 5, ‘whose laces got stuck in van’ after tot went to shop for sweets & snacks with other kids
A BANNED driver killed a five-year-old boy whose laces reportedly got stuck in his van after the tot went to a shop for sweets and snacks with other kids.
Darren Jacques, 42, has been jailed for six years for causing the death of Layton Darwood by driving while disqualified.
The motorist had parked a Ford Transit tipper truck with a trailer carrying a mini-digger outside a shop in Newcastle on August 24, 2020.
While Jacques went inside to buy booze, curious Layton climbed onto the trailer.
Layton’s devastated mum Stephany Bloomer said her son had been excited to go on his first trip to the shop with three other youngsters.
She added that getting sweets and cakes was Layton’s favourite thing to do.
Jacques, a banned driver with a long criminal history including a string of driving offences, then got back in the truck.
He had seen the four children but slowly drove away while Layton was still on the trailer.
Layton’s shoelaces or feet became entangled as another youngster tried to help him down.
He fell off the trailer and was pulled under the truck’s wheels, suffering fatal injuries to his torso in front of the other children.
Shameless Jacques gave cops a false name after they arrived at the scene with an air ambulance and Layton’s mum Stephany.
She told Newcastle Crown Court that she looked on as medics cut open Layton’s chest to massage his heart.
Stephany said: “Instead of seeing the smiling faces coming in we came face to face with the most horrific scene.”
Addressing Jacques, she added: “While this was happening you were lying, trying your best to cover your tracks, giving false information.
“Not once did you ask how my son was or even if he was alive.
“There was no remorse that day or in the three years this has been dragged out for, not letting this family grieve, adding more torment and pain.
“I could stand here all day and talk about Layton, about how wonderful my little boy was – but you don’t deserve to know about him.
She added: “No justice will be served in my eyes today because I am left with a lifetime without him.
“I’m the one that has to try to rebuild a family you broke. You deserve no more of our time.
“I hope the right sentence is handed to you by the court today but it will never be enough justice for Layton.”
Layton’s dad Stephen said: “I not only lost my son but my best friend.
“My life changed forever. Since the day Layton was taken away I’ve suffered mentally, physically and financially.
“I’ve nearly lost everything. No sentence will ever bring my son back or erase the memories.
“I hope his time in custody will allow him time to reflect on his actions and realise the consequences his actions have caused.
“I hope other people who learn of Darren Jacques’s sentencing will then think before they do the same and hopefully this will act as a deterrent.
“We will never get over the heartache, pain and trauma. Our live will never be the same again.”
Prosecutor Andrew Espley said: “The incident arose because of the defendant’s complete disregard for his responsibility as a driver.”
The court heard that Jacques, from Penrith in Cumbria, has 54 previous convictions.
His offences included drink driving while uninsured in 2018, drink driving in 2013, aggravated vehicle taking, careless driving, failing to stop after an accident, driving while disqualified and having no insurance in 2007, and drink driving in 2006.
Just four months before causing Layton’s death, he was caught driving while disqualified and drug driving.
As well as being jailed for six years, he will be banned from driving for three years after his release.
Judge Robert Adams said Jacques should have paused to check after seeing the children playing.
He said: “But you didn’t do that. You ignored the obvious warnings, maybe assuming they were out of the way.”
Christopher Knox, defending, said: “His neglect was failing to carry out a final inspection. He is regretful.”