Dad of boy hit by unlicenced driver wants law change

The family of a 14-year-old who was killed by a driver who had no licence are campaigning for a law change after she was not prosecuted.

Harry Parker suffered a fatal brain injury when he was hit by a car outside his school in Swindon, Wiltshire, in 2022.

A charge of causing death by careless driving against the driver was dropped due to lack of evidence. It was then too late to charge her with driving without a licence and insurance, as those offences are subject to a six-month time limit.

Harry's father Adam Parker wants the limit removed. The government has consulted on a new road safety strategy and is considering the evidence, with changes expected to be announced by the end of the year.

After meeting transport minister Lillian Greenwood on Wednesday, Adam said it was "ridiculous" the law could not "bring people to justice who've clearly done wrong".

"When things fall through it's heartbreaking for families like myself," he said.

Adam and his family also want tougher sentences for driving without a licence or insurance.

People convicted of such offences are usually handed a fine, penalty points, or a suspended prison sentence.

"Those sorts of smaller sentences could probably [be used] for people who are on driving lessons and stuff like that," Adam said.

"But someone who's got in their car willingly knowing that they haven't passed the test and driving, I've asked it to be changed to dangerous driving."

Adam said Harry's death had destroyed his family and led to the breakdown of his marriage.

"It's been devastating, my other children have really suffered for it, but we've all got to try to pull it together somehow and just honour Harry in any way we can."

Will Stone, Labour MP for Swindon North, joined Adam at the meeting.

He said he supported tougher sentences for people driving without a licence or uninsured.

Stone said Harry's death had "rocked the community", adding: "I know we're not going to get justice for what happened to Harry but I want to try to do my part supporting them to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else."

An inquest into Harry's death at Salisbury Coroners' Court last week found driver Ivy Mwangi, 50, was travelling under the speed limit but had likely been distracted by a hands-free phone call at the time of the crash.

The inquest heard Mwangi told police she had failed her first UK driving test in 2004 or 2005, and had taken the theory test six times.

She was also not wearing her prescription glasses at the time of the collision.

Assistant coroner for Wiltshire Nicholas Rheinberg found Harry had been distracted by music and "wasn't looking" as he stepped into the road.

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