July 17th 2024.
Stewart Powell was driving his van on a busy road when he hit a seven-year-old boy named William Brown. Sadly, William was declared dead at the scene, and Powell saw him lying on the road before driving away. This terrible incident happened in Folkestone on December 6th last year.
During the trial, William's parents, Laura and William Brown, expressed their forgiveness towards Powell for his actions. They believe that forgiveness is the key to moving on with their lives. They also hope to work together with Powell in the future to bring about positive change and prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
The court heard that after hitting William, Powell drove a short distance before witnessing bystanders performing CPR on the young boy. However, instead of staying and helping, he panicked and left the scene. He called the emergency services the next day and explained that the incident had caused him a great deal of stress. Powell also stated that William had suddenly run in front of his van, causing the accident.
Prosecutor Julie Farbrace shared that Powell had driven away because he was in a state of panic, not knowing what to do. William's mother, Laura Brown, spoke to the media after the sentencing and expressed her hope for immediate change in the laws surrounding hit-and-run incidents where someone dies. She is determined to turn her son's tragic death into a catalyst for change and has started a petition on Change.org, which has already gained over 8,500 signatures.
In court, Laura Brown also spoke out against Powell, stating that he left her son on the road "like an animal" and deserved better treatment. She expressed her pain and suffering, not knowing who had caused her son's death, and begged the van driver to come forward. She believes that Powell's actions only prolonged their suffering.
Powell, who is a father of two, appeared to be emotional as William's parents read their statements in court. William Brown Sr. stated that it was cowardly of Powell to drive away after hitting their son. However, he also shared his belief that William would have forgiven Powell, and he too chooses to forgive him. William Brown Sr. also hopes that this incident will serve as a reminder to prioritize road safety to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
Powell's lawyer, Adrienne Wright, explained that the incident was out of character for her client and that it was sheer panic that led him to leave the scene. She also shared that Powell deeply regrets his decision and is constantly reminded of it.
Laura Brown remains determined to bring about change in the laws surrounding hit-and-run incidents where someone dies. She believes that the case should have been dealt with at a higher court due to aggravating factors. However, she is also grateful for the sentence given to Powell and hopes that he learns from this experience.
As for William, his mother fondly remembers him as a beautiful, kind, and fun-loving little boy. She shared that it was his favorite day, sports day, on the day of the incident. She believes that William would have forgiven Powell, just like his father did, as he was a good boy. Powell, who pleaded guilty to failing to stop at the scene and driving without valid insurance, was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. He also received a curfew and a 12-month driving ban. The district judge, Claire Luxford, reminded Powell that his punishment extends far beyond the sentence given in court. She also highlighted that by leaving the scene, Powell denied the police the opportunity to investigate any other offenses.
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