Layton Darwood death: Disqualified driver jailed over crash

Layton Darwood died in hospital despite attempts to save him at the scene

A disqualified driver who caused the death of a five-year-old boy has been jailed for six years.

Layton Darwood fell under the wheels of a trailer and was struck by the van towing it in Newcastle in 2020.

Driver Darren Jacques, 42, of Hutton Hill in Penrith, Cumbria, then lied to police about his identity.

He was convicted at Newcastle Crown Court in September, where the judge had told him not to expect anything less than a custodial sentence.

On 25 August, Jacques had stopped at a shop in Willow Avenue, Fenham, to buy a bottle of beer.

He was unaware Layton had climbed on to the trailer and, when he pulled away, the youngster tragically fell.

Medical staff performed heart massage at the scene in efforts to save the boy's life, but he died later in hospital.

Jacques had stopped to buy alcohol before his journey home to Penrith

Layton was described by his family as a happy and loving little boy.

His mum Stephany Bloomer said in a victim impact statement that Layton had been "excited" to be going on his "first little adventure", especially because of the Covid lockdown.

"Getting sweets and cake was Layton's favourite thing to do, he was so excited," she said.

"Little did I realise this would also be his last adventure.

"Instead of seeing smiling faces I came face to face with the most horrific scene, as I had to kneel by Layton and watch while they performed surgery. Cutting him open to massage his heart at the roadside"

'Torment and pain'

Addressing Jacques, himself a father of five, she added: "While this was happening, you were lying and trying your best to cover your tracks by giving false names.

"Not once did you ask if my son was OK or even alive. There was no remorse that day, or even for the three years you have dragged this out, for not letting this family grieve and just adding more torment and pain.

"Nothing, and I mean nothing, can ever take away the trapped screams I hold in my heart, my throat, my stomach. The emptiness of life without Layton in it."

Layton's dad, Stephen Darwood, said he had not only lost his son but also his "best friend", and his death had nearly killed him due to the PTSD he had suffered.

Darren Jacques came clean about his identity when police requested he use a mobile finger-print scanner

At the time of Layton's death, Jacques was halfway through a three and a half year ban for drinking and driving and had a long history of motoring offences.

He only came clean about his true identity when officers requested he use a mobile finger-print scanner.

In addition to his jail sentence, Jacques was banned from driving for six years starting from the point he is released from prison.