Two jailed over Violet-Grace death

Four year old Violet-Grace Youens died in hit-and-run in St Helens

Published 19th May 2017
Last updated 20th May 2017

Two men have been jailed after a hit-and-run crash which killed four-year-old Violet-Grace Youens.

She was struck while walking in St Helens, on March 24.

Aidan McAteer, 23, admitted causing her death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury to her grandmother, 55-year-old Angela French, who was with her at the time.

He was handed a nine year prison sentence and banned from driving for 10 years.

Dean Brennan, 27, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and assisting an offender.

He was handed a six year prison sentence and banned from driving for nine years.

In the days after the crash, McAteer's mother Alicia made a public appeal for her son to return home after he fled the country.

The next day he was arrested at Manchester Airport and questioned by detectives.

Brennan admitted obtaining McAteer's passport and supplying it to him.

After her death, the family said the donation of Violet-Grace's organs had saved two other lives.

In a message on her Facebook page, her mother Rebecca Youens said: "My brave baby girl saved two lives by donating her kidneys and pancreas.

"I am truly heartbroken but proud of my little fighter.''