Brett Everitt, 16, had been speeding and pulling wheelies on the 125cc scooter when he smashed into a Toyota Auris last year and later admitted causing death by dangerous driving
A 16-year-old boy who killed his friend in a horror crash while ‘showing off’ on a stolen motorbike has been caged for five years.
Serial offender Brett Everitt had been speeding and pulling wheelies on the 125cc scooter when he smashed into a Toyota Auris on November 29 last year.
The impact of the collision caused pillion passenger Kian Buckler, 15, to fly off the back of the bike and he died three days later in hospital from serious head injuries.
A court heard neither of the teenagers were wearing helmets and were not using headlights – despite it being 6.30pm and pitch-black.
Everitt escaped the smash in Bilston, West Midlands, with a fractured jaw and later admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
On Monday Everitt was sentenced to five years in youth detention at Wolverhampton Crown Court and banned from driving for five-and-a-half years.
Speaking after the sentencing, budding mechanic Kian’s mum Tina Richards said the youngster made a ‘stupid decision’ to get on the bike.
She said: ‘Kian always ensured he maintained his own bicycle properly and took great care of it.
‘I know nobody made him get onto the back of that bike but he had no control over the way Brett rode it, and he would have avoided it had he realised its true condition.
‘Losing Kian has left a great big hole in my life, which will never be filled.
‘I miss his attitude, I miss his smile, I miss his presence. I miss him asking me for a bowl of cereal every night, I miss waking him up for school every day, I miss seeing him play with his little sister.
‘I will never get to see him go to his school prom, get married, have children of his own. I won’t get to see him open his Christmas presents ever again.
‘His two-year-old sister keeps asking where Kian is and it’s really difficult trying to explain he’s not coming back.’
The teenage yob – who has appeared at youth court on 14 occasions for 25 previous offences – had been arrested on suspicion of illegally riding another motorbike, but the charge was dropped on the basis of public interest.
Budding mechanic Kian Buckler was killed when he flew off the back of the bike and died three days later in hospital from serious head injuries
A judge lifted reporting restrictions on the case in order to allow the media to name Everitt, of Oldbury, West Mids.
Sentencing, Judge Amjad Nawaz said there had been an ‘element of showing off’ prior to the accident.
Joanna Barker, prosecuting, said Everitt was seen riding the bike, which had no registration plates or headlights, on November 29 last year.
She said: ‘Neither the defendant or Kian Buckler were wearing helmets, neither were wearing protective head gear and neither were wearing reflective clothing.
‘At times the bike was being ridden at speed, attempts were done to pull wheelies and it overtook on what is a very busy road.
‘As Jamaine Lindo began his right turn, not seeing motorbike, the defendant drove straight into his car.
‘Both the defendant and Kian Buckler were thrown from the bike.’
Sam Forsyth, defending, said: ‘He understands and appreciates what he did on that night was very wrong indeed.
‘This was someone he knew all his life, they had grown up together and being responsible for his death is a burden he will have to carry for the rest of his life.’
Sergeant Paul Hughes, from West Midlands Police, said: ‘This is a tragic case in which two young lives have been ruined, it once again highlights the risks involved with young people riding motorcycles in a dangerous and reckless manner.
‘Everitt chose to do this without any regard for himself or other road users and ultimately caused the death of his friend Kian Buckler.
‘He will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life and I would urge anyone who is tempted to get on a bike and ride it in such a way to think very hard about the potential consequences.’