Tragic five-year-old boy who was despatched out to purchase sweets for household picnic was crushed beneath wheels of van after bending all the way down to tie his shoelaces – as disqualified driver is discovered responsible of inflicting his demise

A five-year-old boy who was despatched out to purchase sweets for a household picnic was crushed to demise beneath the wheels of a van after bending all the way down to tie his shoelaces. 

Disqualified driver Darren Jacques, 40, was discovered responsible of inflicting the demise of Layton Darwood in Fenham, Newcastle, on August 24 2020.

Layton, 5, had been with three different kids and had gone to a close-by store to purchase sweets and provides for a picnic after the eldest of the group had been given a financial institution card. 

CCTV footage confirmed how Jacques parked his Ford Transit Tipper on a kerb earlier than dashing into a store and grabbing a bottle of alcohol. He then was seen exiting the store and jogging previous Layton and the opposite kids as he went again to his van.

However whereas Jacques’ car was stationary, Layton climbed on to the trailer. As Jacques started to maneuver away, the younger boy fell to the bottom and the wheels of the trailer rolled over him, inflicting deadly accidents. 

The trial had heard Layton might have gotten his shoelaces caught earlier than falling beneath the wheels. The five-year-old died after falling beneath the trailer of Jacques’ Ford Transit Tipper.

Darren Jacques, 40, has been convicted of inflicting demise by driving while disqualified. He had denied the cost however a jury noticed via his ‘lies and excuses’

Little Layton Darwood, 5, was crushed beneath the wheels of the Ford Transit Tipper he had been climbing on in Willow Avenue, Fenham, Newcastle, on August 24 2020

Jacques, of Hutton Hill, Penrith, Cumbria, had been standing trial at Newcastle Crown Courtroom charged with inflicting demise by driving while disqualified. 

At the moment, a jury of 12 individuals discovered Jacques responsible of the cost.

Jacques had been working in Fenham that day and had completed his shift when he went into the native store after ‘mounting the pavement’ within the van – which was towing a trailer with a small digger on the again. 

As Jacques started to maneuver away, Layton fell to the bottom and the wheels of the trailer rolled over him, inflicting deadly accidents. 

Giving proof in the course of the trial, Sergeant Alan Keenleyside, a Forensic Collision Investigator for Northumbria Police, instructed the jury it was his opinion that Jacques was conscious the kids have been there and that he ought to have taken ‘larger care’ when transferring away.

When police arrived, Jacques gave a false title and false particulars about his date of beginning and deal with. 

He later admitted his actual title, saying he ‘panicked’. Emergency efforts have been then made to attempt to save Layton’s life, however he was pronounced lifeless in hospital later that day. 

Jacques was proven on CCTV ‘mounting the kerb’ in his Ford Transit earlier than going into a close-by store to purchase a bottle of booze 

Jacques, of Hutton Hill, Penrith, Cumbria, had been standing trial at Newcastle Crown Courtroom. A jury of 12 individuals discovered him responsible 

A autopsy examination discovered that the drive of the wheels going over Layton would give an account for his deadly accidents.

A press release issued by Layton’s mom, Stephany, on behalf of the household learn: ‘We’re devastated by what occurred and miss Layton past phrases. He was a loving, completely satisfied little boy together with his entire life forward of him and our worst nightmare got here true the day we misplaced him.

‘Though some type of justice has been served in the present day it is a very bitter candy state of affairs. It has taken a protracted, laborious three years with many set-backs and challenges alongside the best way.

‘If it had not been for the willpower of my mam and Northumbria Police we might not be right here in the present day, seeing justice be served for Layton.

‘A standard saying amongst police is deeds not phrases and on this case the deeds of Sergeant Ray Lowery, Sergeant Russ Surrey and Sergeant William Huntley have nicely outweighed all of the phrases ever spoken.’

Talking after the trial, the officer accountable for the case, Sergeant Russell Surrey, of Northumbria Police, stated: ‘To say this case has been devastating can be an entire understatement as dropping Layton has brought about this household unimaginable ache and struggling nobody ought to ever must undergo.

When police arrived, Jacques gave a false title and false particulars about his date of beginning and deal with. A decide will sentence Jacques at a later date whom he instructed to anticipate an instantaneous custodial sentence

‘I want to reward the power and resilience they’ve proven all through the investigation and subsequent courtroom proceedings.

‘I actually hope in the present day can act as that first step in the direction of the closure they deserve and assist them transfer ahead from this terrible, tragic incident.

‘I’m happy the jury noticed via the reasons and lies instructed by Darren Jacques. 

‘Regardless of being banned from the roads he was overtly driving in a piece capability and was even in cost of a big, heavy-duty car which he wasn’t educated or certified to function.’

Following the responsible verdict, Choose Adams instructed Jacques he can be sentenced at a later date and ordered a pre-sentence report back to be put collectively. He instructed Jacques to anticipate an instantaneous custodial sentence and bailed him till his subsequent courtroom look.

A provisional sentence date of Monday, December 4 was given.