Learner driver guilty

Tragic Keilyn Kerr died in front of his father Darren and his grandmother as he crossed the road just yards from her front door in Childs Avenue, Woodcross.

Forklift truck driver Martin Clifford, aged 42, is facing jail after pleading guilty to causing the schoolboy's death by aggravated vehicle taking.

The youngster, from Woodcross Lane, was a pupil at Hurst Hill Primary School in Coseley and had four brothers.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard today how Clifford, of Dartmouth Crescent on The Lunt estate, was driving a Renault Megane belonging to his girlfriend when he collided with Keilyn.

Clifford also pleaded guilty to using the car without insurance, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and not driving in accordance with his provisional licence.

Judge Robin Onions said: "The little boy stepped off the kerb behind a parked car and so the defendant did not see him. He crouched down and it is the most tragic and awful accident."

The accident happened at 5pm on October 1 last year.

Miss Sarah-Jayne Buckingham, defending, said: "Mr Clifford accepts he did not have the consent of his partner at the time. There is no suggestion that anything to do with the way he was driving caused the accident. He accepts that he panicked but within half an hour he went to the police station. He is guilt-ridden."

Keilyn's mother Debbie Simcox has opened her heart about her loss.

She described her son as a happy, popular and boisterous child who loved collecting football cards and playing computer games. "You aren't meant to bury your kids," she added.

Clifford has been given an interim driving ban and unconditionally bailed. He will be sentenced on May 22.