A hit-and-run driver has admitted fleeing after fatally crashing into a seven-year-old boy whose body was then struck by another car.
Stewart Powell, of St Mary’s Bay, climbed out of his van and watched the tragic scenes unfold after hitting William Brown in Sandgate, near Folkestone, on December 6.
Rebecca Clayton was driving her red Citroen with three children inside when she was unable to avoid hitting the youngster’s lifeless body.
As she and others tried to resuscitate William, Powell, 49, got back into his van and drove off before emergency services arrived.
After William’s parents released heartbreaking appeals the following day, Powell told a 999 call handler: “I was involved in it, I’m stressing, I don’t know what to do.”
Following his arrest in Dymchurch on December 7, Powell’s blood was found to contain traces of cannabis.
In a succession of interviews police quizzed him on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by careless driving, failing to stop at the scene of a collision and perverting the course of justice.
On May 11 he was charged with failing to stop at the scene of a collision, which carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison.
He was also charged with driving the grey Peugeot without insurance as, although the vehicle was insured, it was driven outside the policy’s terms.
Admitting both charges at Folkestone Magistrate’s Court today, Powell could be seen bowing his head, crossing his arms and looking at the floor in the dock.
William’s mum Laura Brown remained stoic throughout the hearing, as the distressing facts of the case were laid bare.
Wearing a dark suit and light-coloured shirt, Powell, of Dunstall Gardens, was supported by his wife in court.
He spoke from the dock to confirm his name, address, date of birth, and enter guilty pleas.
His sentencing was adjourned until July 17 pending a pre-sentence report.
Powell’s lawyer argued a court order should be made to keep his address anonymous for “fear of what may happen”.
But the bench threw out the application after reporters stressed the importance of open justice and how Powell, whose case is no different to other hearings, did not deserve specialist treatment.
The chair of the bench refused the bid because there was “no clear evidence” Powell could come to harm.
Following the hearing, Mrs Brown stressed she is petitioning for harsher sentences for those who fail to stop at the scene of a collision.
But she says she has forgiven Powell for his actions on that fateful day.
Following his death, William’s devastated dad, who had watched on helplessly during the CPR efforts, paid tribute to his “gentle” and “wonderful child”.
He was laid to rest on January 13 at The Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe - a place he would often go to play with his friends.
King Charles granted special permission for William to be buried at the historic graveyard, which had been shut for burials since 1855 after an order was issued by the Privy Council.
Hundreds of mourners attended, with many lining the streets for the funeral procession through Folkestone, while 10,000 people tuned in to a live stream shared on KentOnline.
William Brown Sr will on Monday open a shop in Folkestone town centre featuring food and drink his son loved.
