Joyrider Jailed For "Mowing" Down Five Year Old
A joyrider nicknamed Monster'' who mowed down a five-year-old boy in front of his mother has been jailed more than 10 years after the schoolboy's death.
Driver Nawnee Mackin, 35, of Chorlton, Greater Manchester, knocked down and killed Samuel Walker who had been crossing the road with his mother and sister before Mackin fled in a Mitsubishi Gallant.
Mackin then 23 - who had no licence or insurance - was said to have reached speeds of up to 50mph in the pool car'' for the estate where he lived.
He was jailed for nine years for causing death by dangerous driving after being found guilty at Manchester Cown Court.
The case was reopened on the 10th anniversary of Samuel's death in 2013.
Mackin was later identified as the driver of the Mitsubishi which had been taken for a joyride around the Merseybank Estate in Chorlton. He was also picked out by Samuel's mother Jacqueline Tocmak in an identity parade.
The court heard that Samuel had been crossing Hardy Lane in Chorlton, in February 2003 with his 11-year-old sister - who also witnessed him being struck,as they made their way to his grandmother's house. He was thrown up onto the car's bonnet and killed instantly days before his sixth birthday.
Prosecutor Mr Henry Blackshaw said that Mackin had been seen wheel spinning'' and drivingaggressively'' before the collision. Tyres had been heard screeching'' and his speed had been estimated at being between 40 and 50 mph.
Mackin drove from the scene after failing to stop, hiding his face as he went around a corner. The car was found abandoned after being reported stolen.
Mrs Tocmak said that on the day of the collision it had been a normal day''.
She never gave up on finding the man responsible for her son's death and would have fought for justice until the day I died''.
In a victim impact statement read to the court she said: Samuel was a wonderful child, he was bright and funny and he had a loving personality.
He was observant and intelligent. As well as being my son he was my best friend.
He was and always will be my angel. The day Samuel was killed my heart was ripped out. It is every parent's nightmare to lose a child. I have missed out on so many of the things that we as parents take for granted. My life was never the same again. He left my son in the road.
There is not a day I do not think of Samuel. I often relive the events of that day. His sister then aged 11 saw him die. Twelve years later she still cries herself to sleep.
Getting justice for Samuel has brought me a step closer for closure for my family and I.''
In mitigation Nigel Power said the aggressive driving was not sustained''.
In passing sentence Judge Andrew Blake said it had been a tragic, tale of wanton driving''.
He said: You killed that little boy, something which you must have known was highly likely almost immediately. Nonetheless you drove on in the hope you would get away with it.
You ploughed right through the group hitting Sam who at the last moment turned back towards his mother no doubt sensing the danger.''
He added that as the investigation halted Mackin continued in your chosen life in and out of prison'' and although he had been witnessed committing the crime, because of themoral code against criminals of no grassing'', he was not reported to the police.
He added: This is as bad a case of death by dangerous driving as I have had the misfortune to deal with. The wanton driving, the callous disregard for life and the carefully orchestrated cover up are all matters which aggravate the offence.''
Mackin was also disqualified from driving for 10 years.