Caernarfon Crown Court heard how Cara Haran, 25, told police about the conspiracy to protect Kaylem Longhurst from the consequences of his illegal and dangerous riding of an off-road motorbike around the Welsh town where he then lived.
Ember Jade Wong, prosecuting, said as he rode along Central Drive, Longhurst collided with six-year-old Arlo Buckley, who had been crossing the road.
The court heard how Arlo, now eight, was seriously injured as a result of being struck and dragged by the bike; requiring urgent medical care at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
In the aftermath of the crash, Longhurst fled the scene and – jurors found – his family tried to help him evade justice for the incident.
Haran, of Lucas Avenue, Clifton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pervert justice. Three other relatives were convicted after a trial of the same offence: Longhurst, 18, now of Morgan Walk, Nantwich, and Shane Hunt, 39, and Terry Follows, 43, both of Clwyd Avenue, Shotton.
All four were jailed at Caernarfon Crown Court for sentence. Longhurst was also sentenced for dangerous driving.
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Kaylem Longhurst (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)
Among the family’s activities set out during the trial were the burning of Longhurst’s clothing and him being transported to York, as well as various lies told to the police by the defendants during the ensuing investigation.
Joseph Lees, for Longhurst, said: “There is no arguing that these offences are so serious they cross the custody threshold – but I seek to persuade the court that it may be possible to suspend the sentence in respect of Kaylem Longhurst.
“He is devastated by his actions that day. He fully admits he took the wrong decision to leave the scene rather than taking responsibility and staying with his victim.
“He made bad decision after bad decision.”
Oliver King, on behalf of Terry Follows, conceded: “There can be only one type of sentence for Terry Follows and she knows that.
“She has no false hope.
“Her most powerful mitigation is her previous good character; with no previous convictions, cautions or reprimands.
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Terry Follows (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)
“She’s described as dedicated to her children and grandchildren which perhaps helps to explain – not excuse – what motivated her actions that day.”
Simon Rogers, on behalf of Shane Hunt, said: “It’s always difficult to make any points on behalf of a defendant – which carry any great weight – when they have been convicted following a trial.
“But there are points, in my submission, which Your Honour can take into account on behalf of this defendant.
“Shane Hunt was not the mastermind behind this plan.”
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Shane Hunt (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)
Mr Rogers added there was “in one sense, a misplaced sense of loyalty.”
Frank Dillon, on behalf of Cara Haran, said: “There came a point when she had a crisis of conscience; she attended the police station the next day and made the factual account.
“Were it not for her actions, it is by no means inconceivable that the successful prosecution of others might not have been possible.
“I say this is a genuine regret on her part for her involvement in the matter – which she quickly sought to put right.”
Judge Simon Mills said while the prosecution did not seek to “lay the terrible injuries that little boy sustained” at Kaylem Longhurst’s feet (the “chain of causation” being “broken at some point before he collided with Arlo,) the 18-year-old was “in every moral sense, responsible for what happened.”
He continued; “He was riding an off-road bike around the streets of Shotton dangerously. The bike was in a dangerous condition and he was not insured to ride it.”
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Cara Haran (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)
“He knew he should not have been on the road. He set about doing everything he could to distance himself from these facts.
“The one piece of evidence he gave which I accept is that he thought he had killed a child; he said so himself.”
Judge Mills branded some of the lies told during the trial “utterly ludicrous falsehood” which the jury had completely rejected.
He added: “No sentence I pass today can correct the terrible wrong that was done to this little boy, his family and those who love him.”
Turning to the defendants, Judge Mills explained he had to amend the starting point of Longhurst’s sentences significantly to reflect the fact he was just 16 when the incident happened.
The sentences were as follows:
Kaylem Longhurst received an overall sentence of 14 months in a young offenders institute and a two-year and seven month driving ban
- Terry Follows received 26 months imprisonment
- Shane Hunt received 21 months imprisonment
- Cara Haran received a nine month term of imprisonment
At the conclusion, Judge Mills praised North Wales Police again for the quality of the evidence placed before the court, and for the way officers tracked down and brought the offenders to justice.
“I was most impressed,” he said.
“The officers responsible have the thanks and commendation of the court.”
Following the hearing, Temporary Detective Inspector Katie Davies of the North Wales Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “This was a shocking and deeply distressing incident in which a child was left with serious injuries, while the person responsible chose to flee the scene rather than stop and help.
“What is particularly concerning is that members of Longhurst’s own family then assisted him in attempting to evade justice, including helping him leave the area and destroy evidence.
“I would like to commend the bravery of Arlo and his family, and also thank members of the public who came forward with information.
“Today’s sentence reflects the diligent work of our officers, in particular Detective Constable Donna Vernon, and sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue not only offenders, but anyone who seeks to help them avoid accountability.”
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