Coward van driver ‘propelled’ body of boy, 7, into path of oncoming car after smashing into him as he retrieved football
A COWARD van driver "propelled" the body of a young boy into the path of an oncoming car before fleeing the scene of the horror.
Seven-year-old William Brown was collecting a football when he was mowed down in Folkestone, Kent, on December 6.
Stewart Powell, 49, had first struck the schoolboy with his Peugeot Expert van.
William's body was then "propelled" into the path of a second vehicle being driven by a mum with her three kids inside.
Powell today admitted driving his van without third-party insurance and failing to stop at the scene of the accident.
William had been playing with pals in his front garden when the football went over a wall.
Folkestone Magistrates' Court heard the van driver hit William, saw he was "effectively dying" then sped off.
His mother Laura Brown and her partner were tragically in the kitchen at the time at the time of the horror.
Rebecca Clayton was driving a Red Citroen behind the van when the schoolboy was thrown into her path.
The mum reported hearing a "loud bang" and immediately left the car to check on William.
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Prosecutor Dylan Bradshaw said Rebecca “checked William’s pulse but unfortunately couldn’t find one”.
An ambulance crew stuck in traffic also rushed to the scene but were unable to save William’s life.
Powell called police 24 hours later after seeing a heartbreaking appeal for information by the youngster's parents.
He claimed William had "just ran out in front of him" and that he got "freaked out".
After his arrest, Powell admitted he had smoked cannabis before the horror.
He has been released on unconditional bail ahead of sentencing on July 17 at the same court.
Speaking after the hearing, William's mum Laura Brown said: “I was hoping for more serious charges. And with the aggravating features I think it should have been dealt with at Crown Court.
“That’s why we're hoping for change. We would like an amendment to the law which would allow cases like this to be elevated to the Crown Court."
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The mum also told how the family has bravely forgiving Powell despite his "very poor choices".
She added: “We're trying to navigate life without William. It's really difficult. But we try to be positive and try and celebrate his life."
