A man has been told he will likely be jailed after he pleaded guilty to causing the death of a 13-year-old boy by careless driving.
Kayn Galer was behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Corsa when he struck Gregg Lewis McGuire, who was riding a pedal bike on Silverstone Road, in Washington, Sunderland. The youngster, described by his heartbroken family as "a cheeky boy who lived life to the fullest", was taken to hospital but sadly died two days later.
Galer, of Pinewood Avenue, Harraton, Washington, had previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, relating to events after the fatal collision, however, the 20-year-old has now also admitted causing death by careless driving, driving with no insurance and failing to stop after an accident.
No details were read out during the brief hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday, but Galer was warned his sentence would "likely be an immediate sentence of imprisonment" when he returns to learn his fate on July 28. Judge Tim Gittins told him: "The prosecution have accepted the pleas you have entered.
"As a result, I will vacate your trial date that was set in your case and, in due course, you will be sentenced and you will receive appropriate credit for the timing of those pleas. Sentencing will be adjourned pending the preparation of a pre-sentence report and, indeed, a victim personal statement prior to that sentencing."
The judge added: "You must appreciate, by me granting a pre-sentence report and granting you bail, I'm giving no indication of what the sentence will be. It's very likely to be an immediate sentence of imprisonment."
Judge Gittins passed his condolences on to Gregg's family and said they would get the opportunity to express their feelings over their loss at the next hearing. In the meantime, Galer was released on conditional bail.
As previously reported, police were called to a collision between Galer's car and Gregg, who was on a bike and crossing from an underpass, on August 14 last year. At the time, Gregg's devastated family issued a statement, saying he "absolutely loved life and making others laugh and smile".
They said: "We are beyond heartbroken and devastated as we come to terms with the fact that our boy Gregg is no longer with us. He was a much-loved son, grandson, brother and nephew who had his whole life ahead of him. Gregg was known to everyone as a cheeky lad and fancied himself as a bit of a comedian – he absolutely loved life and making others laugh and smile.
"Everyone who met Gregg thought the absolute world of him and wanted to be his friend. He had loads of friends at school and was also a regular on the pitch with Wrekenton Nou Camp Youth Football Club in the Under 14’s squad.
"While Gregg only got to experience 13 years of life, we can take comfort in the fact that he was always surrounded by love and happiness – and Gregg made sure that he lived life to the fullest, spending time with his family and many friends, and cheering on his beloved football club, Newcastle United.
"We are still getting our heads around the fact that Gregg is no longer with us. As a family we would like to thank everyone for their loving support and respectfully ask that we are given the time and privacy to grieve and come to terms with what’s happened."
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