Boy killed by man driving at 51mph in a 20mph zone

Police say Harkins knocked over the boy as children were leaving school

A driver travelling at 51mph in a 20mph zone hit and killed a 10-year-old boy as he was leaving school, a court has heard.

Jon Harkins, 35, knocked down Charlie Lowe on Abingdon Road, Liverpool last year, Merseyside Police said.

Det Sgt Andy Roper described Harkins' driving as "grossly excessive and inappropriate".

Harkins was jailed for 80 months after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

Police said the child, who was on foot, was hit by Harkins at about 16:30 BST on 20 April last year, and died the next day in hospital.

Harkins, of Scarisbrick Road, Walton, admitted the offence at an earlier hearing.

Det Sgt Roper said : “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.”

“Charlie's family and friends have had their lives shattered," said Det Sgt Roper, adding: "The decisions that Harkins made on that day will have devastating effects on his family."