A hit-and-run driver who knocked down and killed seven-year-old William Brown, leaving him in the road “like an animal,” has been spared jail.
William Brown was pronounced dead at the scene on the A259 Sandgate Esplanade near Folkestone after Stewart Powell’s grey Peugeot van struck and propelled him into the path of another car on December 6 last year.
Powell admitted to fleeing the scene after fatally crashing into William, who was found lying in the road when emergency services arrived. Prosecutor Julie Farbrace told Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday that Powell had driven a short distance after the collision and saw CPR being administered to William, but fled due to panic.
The 49-year-old called 999 the following day, explaining to officers, “the whole f****** thing just stressed me out,” and described how William had run out in front of him.
During the court proceedings, William’s parents delivered emotional statements about the devastating loss of their son. His mother, Laura Brown, criticized Powell for leaving her son in the road “like an animal,” stating, “He deserved better.
“Stewart stood watching the catastrophic incident unfold. He made a conscious decision to get back into his van and leave him,” she said. “That behaviour is simply inhumane.”
William’s father, William Brown Sr., also expressed his sorrow and forgave Powell, saying, “It was cowardly not to stop and keep driving, Stewart. I know William would forgive Stewart… I forgive you, Stewart, I give your family peace and restoration.”
Powell’s defence attorney, Adrienne Wright, argued that the incident was out of character for him and that his actions were due to sheer panic. “Not a moment passes that he does not regret his decision,” she said.
Sentencing Powell, District Judge Claire Loxford remarked, “Your punishment will go far beyond the sentence I imposed on you this morning. By leaving the scene, you denied police the opportunity to investigate other offences, having accepted being a cannabis user at the time, and having used cannabis that day.”
Powell, of St Mary’s Bay, who pleaded guilty to failing to stop at the scene of the accident and driving without valid insurance, was sentenced to 14 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months and a curfew.
William, a pupil at St Eanswythe Primary School, was laid to rest on January 13 at The Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe. Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral procession through Folkestone, and 10,000 people tuned in to a live stream.
Speaking after today’s hearing, Ms Brown said, “It’s really sad, I feel like William was left for dead like an animal. I couldn’t even hurt a dog, cat, or anybody, so the fact William was left to die is quite alarming.”
