A 14-year-old e-scooter rider who caused the death of an “amazing” grandmother after colliding with her on a pavement won’t be detained in custody.
The judge said the “tragic incident” was avoidable as “this mode of transport should not be there”.
Pedestrian Linda Davis, 71, was struck by the boy and suffered a severe head injury on 2 June last year.
The “very youthful, lively” pensioner died in hospital six days after the collision on Southwell Road East, Rainworth, Nottinghamshire.
The child, who had no previous convictions, admitted last month to causing death by driving a vehicle without a licence, and another of causing death by driving a vehicle while uninsured.
He was handed a 12-month referral order and was disqualified from driving for five years.
It is believed Mrs Davis could not have been seen by him before being hit as he travelled on a privately-owned e-scooter at about 20mph along the pavement past several parked cars, a court heard.
Prosecutor Kelly Shooter told Nottingham Youth Court: “According to a witness, Mrs Davis stepped out from behind a Ford Transit van into [the boy’s] path.
“It is likely that Mrs Davis, as she walked behind it, would not have been able to be seen, so it seems very likely that Mrs Davis did step out from behind the transit van into [the boy’s] path.”
After the collision, the Nottinghamshire boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stayed at the scene and called 999. He also said he was “sorry”.
District Judge Leo Pyle said: “Pavements are for pedestrians, and people in wheelchairs, or babies in prams. They are supposed to be free of vehicles of any type.”
‘As soon as you’re riding one, you have to be responsible’
Mrs Davis’ daughter, Rebecca Williams, said in a statement: “I want people to make sure they are fully aware of the laws regarding the use of an e-scooter and the harm they can cause if they are ridden illegally or in a dangerous or anti-social manner. As soon as you’re riding one, you have to be responsible.”
She paid tribute to her mother, saying she was “a very youthful, lively and amazing nan” who was a “vibrant soul that loved life and family fiercely”.
Mrs Williams said: “To watch your children watch someone they love die is a pain I would not wish on anyone. My heart was broken and I never expected to lose my mum in such a devastating way.
“Each time that my nine-year-old bumps his head, he is scared he is going to die.
“We will never forget the pain that he [the scooter rider] caused that day.”
‘Boy’s great remorse’
Deborah Bell, mitigating, said the boy had shown “positive behaviour” throughout the proceedings. “He showed great remorse for his actions and continues to do so,” she said.
The boy’s parents, who attended court, must pay £85 costs and a £26 victim surcharge and were both handed six-month parenting orders.
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It is illegal to use privately-owned e-scooters on pavements, footpaths, cycle tracks and cycle lanes, according to the Department for Transport (DfT).
To be used on public roads and in public spaces lawfully, they must conform to a number of requirements – including having a licence, insurance and tax.
But the DfT states “it is likely that they [riders] will find it very difficult to comply with all of these requirements”, meaning their use on public roads is effectively a criminal offence.
They can be used on private land, with the landowner’s permission.
Some 1,300 e-scooters are available for hire in Nottingham under a government-backed scheme.
Trials of e-scooter use are also taking place in 31 regions across England.
