A road rage driver from Dukinfield who knocked down a 12-year-old schoolboy and then scrapped his car in a bid to avoid justice is now behind bars.

One witness described Richard Allan's driving on 18 May 2021 as 'horrendously dangerous' both before and after the crash on Barlow Moor Road in Chorlton.

The boy, who was taken to hospital with life-threatening head injuries, is beginning to make a full recovery. 

Following the hit-and-run, Allan tried to cover his tracks by taking his Ford Focus to a scrap merchant.

Allan, 38, of Tensing Fold, pleaded guilty to failing to stop, failing to report a road traffic collision and perverting the course of justice at an earlier hearing.

On Friday (25 February) at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, he was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment and has been disqualified from driving for 51 months. He was also sentenced for dangerous driving. 

Allan was seen driving erratically in Chorlton by several witnesses in the lead-up to the crash last year. 

At 3.46pm, his vehicle was seen turning from Beech Road onto Barlow Moor Road towards Mauldeth Road West.

Allan then became stuck in a queue of traffic outside McDonald's and made a U-turn, driving away at excess speed despite the 30mph speed limit.

Police Constable Phil Drummond, of GMP's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "At this time of day, the area was very busy with both traffic and pedestrians.

"A number of schoolchildren were in the area and traffic was very heavy due to the roadworks and temporary traffic lights.

"The 12-year-old was crossing Barlow Moor Road when he was struck by Allan's car, throwing him into the air.

"After the crash, despite knowing he had hit a pedestrian and with no consideration for their condition, Allan chose to drive away at high speed, making no attempt to stop."

Mobile phone data showed Allan made several calls to vehicle recovery agents after the crash - the same data also revealed the phone had been in the area at the time the collision occurred.

On 19 May 2021, Allan arranged for the vehicle to be scrapped.

Police recovered the vehicle from a scrapyard in north Manchester and Allan was arrested in Dukinfield on 25 May 2021.

Clothes, including a distinctive camouflage jacket, worn by Allan on the day of the crash were also recovered, along with his mobile phone.

PC Drummond added: "Allan's driving that day was dangerous, erratic and thoughtless. He showed no consideration for pedestrians or other road users in the area, let alone his young victim.

"He was seen driving recklessly before the crash and became impatient in the roadworks, making a U-turn and driving the opposite direction.

"Allan went to considerable effort to destroy evidence connecting him to the offences, making efforts to permanently dispose of the vehicle by handing it over to a scrap merchant.

"This incident is a stark reminder of the consequences of dangerous driving and could have resulted in the death of a young boy.

"I hope this serves as a reminder to those who continue to endanger the public - we will continue to bring you to justice."

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