Shotton motorcyclist guilty of fleeing scene after injuring boy

An 18-year-old motorcyclist has been convicted for attempting to evade justice after fleeing the scene where he seriously injured a young boy. The incident occurred on 11 September 2024, when Arlo Buckley, then six years old, was struck by an off-road motorcycle while crossing Central Drive in Shotton, Flintshire. Arlo, now eight, sustained multiple injuries and remains under medical care.

Kaylem Longhurst, from Nantwich, Cheshire, had previously admitted to dangerous driving connected to the collision. Despite this, his brother, Dane Longhurst, was found not guilty and subsequently released. However, Kaylem’s mother, Terry Follows, and Shane Hunt, who is the former partner of Kaylem’s sister, were both found guilty of perverting the course of justice. They were involved in a plot to help Kaylem escape arrest by removing him from the local area. Kaylem’s older sister, Cara Haran, had already pleaded guilty for her involvement in this conspiracy.

During sentencing, Judge Simon Mills criticized the trio for showing a complete lack of remorse towards Arlo’s injuries. He remarked that the motorcycle should never have been on the road and acknowledged that Kaylem’s age at the time—16—would be taken into account. Nevertheless, the judge stated that a custodial sentence in a young offender institution was unavoidable given the circumstances.

Prosecutor Ember Wong detailed the dangerous nature of Longhurst’s behavior on the day of the crash, explaining that he was weaving through traffic without wearing a helmet, holding a license, or having a working front brake. After the impact, Arlo was unresponsive and was treated by bystanders before being airlifted to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for urgent care. Further evidence revealed that Longhurst and his family attempted to cover up the incident by burning his coat and hiding the motorcycle. Hunt and Haran drove Kaylem to York, where he was eventually arrested after conducting online searches about hit-and-run penalties.

Judge Mills condemned the actions of Longhurst and his family, describing their efforts to mislead authorities as a “campaign of telling lies.” He emphasized that leaving a seriously injured child “to his fate” was unacceptable and labeled the burning of the coat as an “appalling decision.” The judge also highlighted that the gravity of Arlo’s injuries was a significant factor in the case’s outcome

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