Owen Wightman death: Peter Renshaw admits failing to stop

Peter Renshaw admitted failing to stop at the scene

A motorist who caused the death of a six-year-old boy has admitted failing to stop at the scene of the crash.

Peter Renshaw, 22, of Emley, Huddersfield, had already admitted causing the death by dangerous driving of Owen Wightman on 18 June 2011.

A hearing was due to decide whether he failed to stop at the scene and failed to report an accident but Renshaw changed his plea to admit the offences.

He was warned he would face a jail term when he returns for sentencing.

Owen was struck by Renshaw's Fiat Seicento car while out playing with a friend close to his home in Fishpond Lane, Kettlethorpe, Wakefield.

Owen Wightman was playing with a friend when he was struck by the car

Leeds Crown Court was told the speed of the Fiat in the 30mph zone was 57mph and Owen was carried 75ft (23m) down the road.

Renshaw barely slowed down after the collision and despite stopping shortly after to check damage to his car, took three days to turn himself in to West Yorkshire Police, the court was told.

He told officers at the time he had no idea he had collided with a pedestrian and thought he may have hit a pothole.

The hearing was also scheduled to decide on an allegation that Renshaw had deliberately damaged his car in an attempt to disguise evidence of the crash.

But, following the new pleas, Patrick Palmer, prosecuting, said the Crown Prosecution Service would no longer be pursuing that aspect of the case.

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC granted Renshaw bail until sentencing.