Face of driver who killed schoolboy after speeding 51mph in a 20mph zone is jailed for six years and eight months
A driver racing at 51mph in a slow 20mph zone has been jailed after killing a 10-year-old boy leaving primary school.
Jon Harkins, 35, was zooming down Abingdon Road in Liverpool in a Ford Kuga around 4.30pm on April 20, 2023, when he ploughed into little Charlie Lowe as he finished lessons for the day.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday, September 13, how pedestrian Charlie was taken to hospital where he sadly died the next day from his injuries.
Harkins, of Walton, Liverpool, remained at the scene and at an earlier court hearing admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
He now been jailed for six years and eight months.
Jon Harkins (pictured) was zooming down Abingdon Road in Liverpool in a Ford Kuga around 4.30pm on April 20, 2023, when he ploughed into little Charlie Lowe
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday, September 13, how pedestrian Charlie (pictured) was taken to hospital where he sadly died the next day from his injuries
Afterwards Detective Sergeant Andy Roper, of Merseyside Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: 'Our thoughts remain very much with Charlie's family.
'It has been a very difficult period for them as their lives have been changed forever by this incident as they continue to grieve for the loss of their child, and they have been supported throughout this case by a specially trained Family Liaison Officers.
'Harkins drove in excess of the speed limit at 51mph along Abingdon Road which is a 20mph speed limit zone.
'This is a busy residential area at a time children were finishing school, so to drive in such a manner was grossly excessive and inappropriate.'
Detective Sergeant Roper added: 'Excess speed devastates lives and causes unimaginable harm to people who become involved in road crashes.
'Charlie's family and friends have had their lives shattered, but the decisions that Harkins made on that day will have devastating effects on his family.
'No one wants to be involved in such incidents and we must change driving behaviour to reduce that risk of harm.
Harkins drove in excess of the speed limit at 51mph along Abingdon Road (pictured) in Liverpool which is a 20mph speed limit zone
'Merseyside Police will not tolerate drivers who deliberately ignore the rules of the road and will be relentless in our pursuit of justice when any offences take place.
'We are committed to the prevention of serious injury and road death, to work towards Vision Zero - our strategy focused on driving down the amount of road traffic collisions in our regions and to lower the number of people killed and seriously injured on our streets.
'However, this is something that we must all do in partnership and communities can also take a stand and help us to make the roads safer in the areas that we all live and share.'
