Teen jailed for 60mph scooter crash in 20mph zone

An 18-year-old scooter rider who struck a pedestrian at three times the speed limit, sending her flying through the air, has been jailed for 18 months.

Aiden Williams was travelling at an “extraordinary” 60mph in a 20mph zone on Ruabon Road in Johnstown, Wrexham, when he collided with Emma Jones at a designated crossing on 8th April at about 3pm.

Ms Jones, who had just got off a bus whilst returning from shopping, was struck and went into the air before landing on the ground. She suffered a fractured eye socket, with bony fragments sinking into her upper jawbone, a deep wound on her forehead revealing the bone, and a “flap of skin”. She experienced double vision for eight weeks and suffered panic attacks.

Williams, who had bought the Yamaha scooter just five days earlier and had no licence or insurance, fled the scene with his pillion passenger. He ran through a nearby pond before being arrested whilst trying to hide in a garden. His passenger has not been traced.

That same night, Williams wrote a letter of apology to Ms Jones on Batman paper. It stated: “I wish I could turn the clocks back. I’m not a monster, although I feel like one right now. I’m just a stupid 18-year-old boy that made a very bad choice. I’m very sorry. I hope, one day, that you can forgive me. From Aiden.”

His barrister told Mold Crown Court that Williams had asked three times: “Is she alright?”

Sentencing Williams at Mold Crown Court, His Honour Rhys Rowlands branded him “callous” and “without an ounce of compassion” for running away whilst others, including an off-duty nurse, stopped to help.

Williams admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was disqualified from driving for 33 months.

After sentencing, a woman in the public gallery shouted: “Aiden, look up. We love you.”