Hirwaun: Driver sentenced for killing boy, 13, and fleeing scene

The sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Tuesday was shown CCTV footage of Whiteman “travelling at speed” through the village, narrowly avoiding hitting other vehicles before the collision.

He had been drinking and taking cocaine, before driving with two friends around Aberdare and Hirwaun.

Shortly before the fatal crash at about 18:15 GMT, Whiteman’s Ford Fiesta was seen driving erratically through the centre of Hirwaun on a 20mph road with parked cars.

Kaylan was walking with three friends towards the local youth centre and had gone slightly ahead of them.

The court heard how Whiteman swerved to avoid hitting another car, which caused him to mount the kerb and hit Kaylan, throwing him into the air.

Julia Cox, prosecuting, said: “After hitting Kaylan, Whiteman drove off at speed with significant damage to his car.”

Kaylan was treated at the scene by members of the public, including a student nurse, but died three days later in hospital.

Whiteman returned to the scene and began shouting at those who were trying to help Kaylan.

He was described as “belligerent” when later arrested at the scene by officers and refused to give breath and blood samples at the police station.

“He didn’t show any remorse for his actions,” said Ms Cox.

Whiteman gave a no comment police interview, but later told a probation officer he had taken a line of cocaine and drunk four pints of lager before the crash.