Boy, 14, who killed grandmother, 71, after hitting her while he drove electric scooter on pavement AVOIDS jail
A 14-YEAR-OLD boy who killed a grandmother while driving an electric scooter on the pavement has avoided jail.
The teenager, who cannot be identified, called 999 at the scene after Linda Davis, 71, was injured in Southwell Road East, Notts.
Linda, known to pals as Lou, tragically passed away six days after the smash in June last year.
The youth pleaded guilty to driving an e-scooter, without insurance or a licence.
Nottingham Youth Court heard the teenager had been riding on the pavement when he hit Linda.
She died from a severe traumatic brain injury as a result of her fall after being hit by the privately-owned e-scooter.
District Judge Leo Pyle said: “Pavements are for pedestrians and people in wheelchairs or infants in prams. They are supposed to be free of vehicles of any type.
“This mode of transport should not be there. This tragic incident was avoidable.”
The court heard he was riding some distance before the incident and disqualified him from driving for five years.
The teenager was also handed a 12-month referral order and a six-month parenting order to attend sessions with his mum and dad.
Both of his parents have been given a six-month parenting order and ordered to pay the prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £26.
The teen must also sign a contract to complete objectives.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Davis described his wife as “my spark and the centre of my world”.
Linda’s daughter, Rebecca Williams, said her mother was “a very youthful, lively and amazing nan”.
She said: “To watch your children watch someone they love die is a pain I would not wish on anyone.
“My heart was broken and I never expected to lose my mum in such a devastating way.
“I understand that accidents happen.
“But I also understand that every time anyone gets on an e-scooter, whether it be a legal or illegal one, you are taking your actions in your own hands, so expect consequences if something happens.”
Mrs Davis was the first pedestrian to have died following an e-scooter crash, but concerns have been raised over the safety of the vehicles for several years.
According to the Department for Transport, it is illegal to use privately-owned e-scooters on pavements, footpaths, cycle tracks and cycle lanes on roads.
Riders also a require a driving license.
To be used on public roads and in public spaces lawfully, they must conform to a number of requirements, including being insured, taxed, and used with relevant safety equipment and other conditions.
They can be used on private land, with the landowner’s permission.