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Mum calls for tougher punishment for careless drivers after son hit by car at Sheppey's Thistle Hill estate

A mum whose 13-year-old son was hit by a car, is calling for tougher punishment for careless drivers.

Kirsty Georgiades says the penalty a driver got for running over and 'permanently disfiguring' her son on the Thistle Hill development at Minster on Sheppey is 'ridiculous'.

CCTV footage of Harvey being hit by the car

Her son, Harvey, had come home from school and was walking on a path to his friend's house on Nettle Way at about 4.30pm on Friday, May 28 when he was struck by a car.

The Oasis Academy pupil, who broke his right tibia and fibula bones in three places, was rushed to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham before undergoing an operation at London’s King’s College Hospital.

Motorist Jordan Jones, a 24-year-old from Minster, was subsequently charged with driving without due care and attention.

Jones was fined £200 and disqualified from driving until he passes a test of competence.

Harvey Georgiades in hospital
Harvey Georgiades in hospital

However, Mrs Georgiades, who lives on the estate, is angered by the sentencing.

She said: “Mr Jones has got to completely resit his test again in order to be able to get a licence, but there's no duration of the ban.

"So technically, he could book the test up today, have the test next week and then be back on the road again. It's ridiculous."

Harvey's mum believes the defendant had no alternative other than to admit the offence when confronted with compelling CCTV evidence.

Footage shows the shocking moment Harvey was hit and run over with the vehicle's front and back tyres and trailer tyre.

Mrs Georgiades added: "After seeing the footage, to me, it seems like he should have been banned for a while before he is allowed to resit his driving test.

Harvey had to have physiotherapy to walk again
Harvey had to have physiotherapy to walk again

"He is obviously far too dangerous to be on the road."

Because of the severity of the accident Harvey, who had metal plates attached to his bones, initially had to attend King's College Hospital every four to six weeks, but now has to attend every six months.

To be able to walk again Harvey has been attending physio sessions and has special measures set up at school to protect his leg from busy corridors.

Mrs Georgiades said: "It has psychologically damaged Harvey as well, he has horrible dreams and wakes up in a sweat.

"Harvey was an amateur boxer but he won't be able to return to that for now, this is why I am so angry at Mr Jones' punishment.

Harvey Georgiades, 13, in hospital after being hit by a car at Thistle Hill, Minster in May 2021
Harvey Georgiades, 13, in hospital after being hit by a car at Thistle Hill, Minster in May 2021

"I can't believe he is just given a £200 fine and told to retake his driving test after leaving my son permanently disfigured, his leg is awful."

Harvey's family are also angry at the driver's lack of concern.

His mum said: "There's not been a knock at the door, not even a card through the post.

"He was bleeding out at the side of the road, and Mr Jones hasn't even done a wellbeing check, not a phone call, nothing to say sorry."

The mother-of-four believes something needs to be done to slow the traffic down on this estate.

Harvey had to have an emergency operation on his injured leg
Harvey had to have an emergency operation on his injured leg

She concluded: "Harvey was walking on the path, so if a child is not safe on the path then where are they safe?

"The driver didn't indicate, he literally just drove straight up the path into him.

"My son was lucky, but the next child might not be.”

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