A biker has been locked up after he ploughed into a young boy at 50mph and left him in a wheelchair for several months.
Jake Henry, 18, was driving at more than twice the 20mph speed limit when he crashed into the then 10-year-old and a parked car in Aberdeen last summer.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was so badly hurt that he needed a wheelchair – and eight months on, still needs a crutch to help him walk.
He is also now “terrified” of moving vehicles, and will not play outside on his own anymore.
Yesterday, a sheriff told Henry he was “very fortunate” the youngster had not been killed as could have “so easily happened”.
Henry had been riding on Cairngorm Drive, close to its junction with Caisedykes Drive, in the Kincorth area of the city when the collision took place on August 15.
After he crashed into the child, he lost control of the bike and it skidded along the road before crashing into a parked car. He then fled the scene.
His victim was rushed to hospital with a broken thighbone and shinbone. He also suffered a split spleen and liver, as well as cuts and bruises.
Yesterday Henry, whose address was given as Fraser Path, Arbroath, appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court after previously admitting seriously injuring the boy by driving dangerously.
He had also pleaded guilty to driving the green 400cc Kawaski bike without a proper licence and without insurance, while on bail.
Fiscal depute Stephanie Ross told the court that the crash had left the boy wheelchair-bound but he was now walking with the aid of a crutch.
She added he had recently undergone surgery to remove pins from his injured leg.
He has also been prescribed with “build-up” protein shakes by a physiotherapist, because he has lost so much weight while recovering.
Miss Ross told the court that the boy’s mother had said that since the accident, he is “terrified” of moving vehicles, particularly motorcycles, and was unwilling to play outside on his own.
Defence agent Alex Burn said his client had admitted his behaviour was “immature, dangerous and inexcusable”.
He said Henry was ashamed and “apologetic” for the physical and emotional toll the incident had taken on the boy and his family.
Mr Burn added that Henry, who is currently serving a two-year sentence for assault, was fully aware that he would be handed a custodial sentence and was not trying to hide from his “crazy” behaviour.
Sentencing him to 15 months detention, Sheriff Graeme Napier told Henry he was fortunate that he was still relatively young or he would have imposed a steeper term.
He said: “You will appreciate how serious this offending is.
“You’re very fortunate that this child was not killed as so easily could have happened, and then you would be facing a much more lengthy sentence.
“I have to take into account your relative youth and the fact that you are already serving a lengthy sentence, therefore the sentence I am going to impose is significantly less than
the one I would have given to someone who was older than you.”
Sheriff Napier also disqualified Henry from driving for two years.
