Driver who deliberately hit boys with van jailed

A man who deliberately drove a van at three teenage boys has been jailed for more than 18 years.

Niall Adams, 30, of Worcestershire, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on 8 July, where he was convicted of dangerous driving, as well as drug offences.

It comes after the three boys, who were on a suspected stolen motorbike on Hanstone Road, Stourport, were injured when they were struck by the grey Ford Transit owned by Adams, of Mayflower Close in the town.

One, aged 14, was seriously injured but the other two – both aged 15 – were not seriously hurt, although one went on to suffer minor knife injuries in a fight with Adams' accomplice Brendan O'Sullivan, also of Stourport.

The court had heard that after deliberately driving into the victims Adams stopped at the scene and rang O'Sullivan on his mobile phone.

O'Sullivan, 30, from Bewdley Road, Stourport was sentenced to five years in jail at a hearing in the same court on 3 July for his involvement.

Once O'Sullivan had arrived at scene, he was handed something out of the van by Adams and they both then left the scene with Adams taking the bike.

O'Sullivan later caught up with one of the 15-year-olds and a fight ensued with injuries sustained by his victim.

Officers later arrested Adams, and O'Sullivan handed himself into the police a few hours later.

At Adams' sentencing, he was handed a 10-year and four-month sentence for being concerned in supplying a controlled drug of class A to another.

He was also given a three year concurrent sentence for possession of criminal property, a 12-month concurrent sentence for dangerous driving, and a two-year concurrent sentence for perverting the course of justice.

Adams was then handed a consecutive eight-year sentence for wounding or causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, and a second eight-year concurrent sentence for a second count.

An 18-month concurrent sentence was also handed out for driving a car dangerously. The 30-year-old was also disqualified from driving for 130 months.

O'Sullivan was jailed for a GBH offence and was also given a concurrent 18-month sentence for possession of a bladed article.

He was also given an eight-year restraining order banning him from contacting the victims.

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