Man charged after teen hit by car reportedly stolen

The Astra was being followed by police after it was identified by ANPR cameras as a stolen vehicle

A man has been charged after a teenager was hit by a car alleged to have been stolen.

The 16-year-old boy received minor injuries when he was crossing St Mary's Road in Kettering, Northamptonshire, on Saturday afternoon.

Police said the driver and passenger of the silver Vauxhall Astra ran from the vehicle after it continued on to the Headlands. Two people were arrested a short time later.

The man, 22, of no fixed address, was charged with assault, theft, driving and drug offences. Police said he was remanded in custody by magistrates ahead of a hearing at Northampton Crown Court on 6 June.

The crash happened at about 15:25 BST. The boy who was crossing the road was taken to hospital, but later discharged.

The Astra was being followed by police after it was identified by ANPR cameras as a stolen vehicle. No referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been made at this time, police said.

Northamptonshire Police said the defendant appeared at Northampton Magistrates' Court charged with failing to stop after a road collision, assault causing actual bodily harm, aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving.

The 22-year-old was also charged with driving without third party insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

A 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of similar offences was bailed.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident, including anyone with dashcam footage, to come forward.