An 18-year-old chef has been sentenced to three years in prison after crashing his newly purchased Audi into an elderly pedestrian and fleeing the scene. Sonny Horsfall admitted to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance, and failing to stop after a road traffic accident.
Crash Details and Immediate Aftermath
The incident occurred on April 22 at 10:23 PM on West Dyke Road in Redcar, Teesside. Horsfall lost control of his black Audi A4, which mounted a grass area, struck a tree, and then hit an 84-year-old man who was walking home on a footpath. The victim was thrown into the air, as described by prosecutor Elisha Marsay during the hearing at Teesside Crown Court on July 15. CCTV footage captured the crash, showing the Audi's front wheel hanging off, orange sparks emanating from the vehicle, a smashed windscreen, and damage to the bonnet.
Horsfall, who was disqualified from driving, grabbed the car key and fled on foot. Less than two hours later, at 11:53 PM, he ordered a pizza. A neighbor discovered the victim lying on the grass and began screaming, prompting an ambulance to be called.
Communications After the Crash
Horsfall had purchased the Audi A4 from a friend for £250 at 6 PM that evening. By 11 PM, he contacted the friend via message, stating he had lost control after coming out of a junction and hit someone. He wrote: "I'm going to get seriously f***** for it. I went up the kerb. Bro, the man got smashed. He's bad, bro. I think I killed him."
In another message on Snapchat, Horsfall told a friend: "Bro, I'm going to jail. I've killed someone. I hit someone in a car. Hit an old man, his head smashed the windscreen. My DNA all over the car. I smashed my face off the wheel. I ripped the key out and then I ran off."
Victim's Injuries and Recovery
The victim, an 84-year-old widower, underwent surgery to rebuild his hip and was placed in an induced coma. He has since made a good recovery but suffered damage to his hip, broken bones in his back, and a broken foot. In a statement read to the court, he said: "I was a fit, healthy and independent 84-year-old man. I was able to cook for myself, drive, and go out and meet people. The loss of my independence and dignity has been one of the hardest consequences of this incident. I really miss being able to get out and about as I used to." He also expressed gratitude to neighbors who came to his aid, saying he does not know "what would have happened to me" without their help.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Horsfall was arrested the next day after police found him in Malton. Officers discovered he was disqualified from driving. He had driven over 30 miles to Redcar that evening, recording Snapchat videos en route. One video showed him driving at 48 mph over speed bumps on Skelton High Street, with captions including "Smoke 'em boys" and "F*** the red lights, you're getting dusted."
During the hearing, Horsfall sat with his hands over his eyes as details of the victim's injuries were read. His barrister, Kelly Clarke, argued that the man described in the offense was in stark contrast to the person she had met. She noted that Horsfall was suffering from PTSD and not sleeping, and had taken two pregabalin tablets before the crash. Clarke added that Horsfall was "wholly remorseful" and that custody had been a shock, as he had been assaulted and required 16 stitches after someone took a blade to his face.
Sentencing and Judge's Remarks
Judge Christopher Knox described Horsfall's behavior as "wickedness and stupidity." He noted that the friend who sold the Audi had made it clear the car was not in proper order. The judge said: "You lost control of the car, mounted the pavement and took out an active and law-abiding gentleman. He's suffered real injuries which are a disability to him. Because of his own force of character, and with the assistance of friends and family, he's made a remarkable recovery."
In addition to the three-year prison sentence, Horsfall was disqualified from driving for four years.
