Mother Receives Prison Sentence for Orchestrating Family Cover-Up After Son's Hit-and-Run
A woman has been sentenced to more than two years in prison after covering up her teenage son's hit-and-run crash, which left a five-year-old boy fighting for his life. Kaylem Longhurst, who was 16 at the time, fled the scene after hitting young Arlo while riding an off-road motorbike in Shotton, Flintshire, on September 11, 2024.
Severe Injuries and Immediate Aftermath
The five-year-old victim required urgent treatment at Alder Hey Children's Hospital and months of additional care after being dragged by the motorbike as he crossed the road. Instead of helping Arlo, Longhurst went directly to his mother, Terry Follows, aged 53, who then staged an elaborate family cover-up to shield her son from police investigation.
The family actively assisted in evading justice by burning Longhurst's clothes and concealing his motorbike in an alleyway. Additionally, they drove him all the way from the scene in Flintshire to York to distance him from the authorities.
Legal Proceedings and Guilty Pleas
Longhurst, from Nantwich, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to multiple charges including dangerous driving, driving without a licence, driving without adequate eyesight, and driving without insurance. However, the now 18-year-old denied the charge of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Follows, Longhurst, and his sister's ex-partner, Shane Hunt, were all found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Longhurst's sister, Cara Haran, aged 25, had previously pleaded guilty to her involvement in the conspiracy.
Judge's Stern Remarks During Sentencing
Judge Simon Mills, sentencing at Mold Crown Court, stated that Follows had 'organised all of this' and showed 'no remorse' for the serious injuries inflicted upon Arlo. He emphasized that no sentence could correct the terrible wrong done to the young boy.
The judge noted that Follows had been aware of her son's dangerous driving in the community but had 'done nothing' to prevent it. He also highlighted that she knew the motorbike was in a dangerous condition and that Longhurst 'should not have been on the road at all.'
Following the crash, Longhurst 'made the choice to run away with his bike,' and later admitted during the trial that he thought he had killed the child. The judge described how Longhurst then called his mother, who 'set about organising a conspiracy' to help him evade justice.
Sentences Handed Down to All Involved
Terry Follows of Shotton, North Wales, who played a leading role in perverting the course of justice, received a sentence of 26 months in prison. Kaylem Longhurst was sentenced to 14 months' detention in a young offender institution, along with an extended driving disqualification of two years and seven months, and a requirement to take an extended retest.
Shane Hunt, also of Shotton, was sentenced to 21 months for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Cara Haran received a nine-month prison sentence for her part in the conspiracy.
Impact on the Young Victim and Family
In victim impact statements, Arlo's parents, Danny and Hannah, expressed their profound distress and uncertainty about how the crash would affect their son physically and psychologically in the future. The father described the experience as 'every parent's worst nightmare,' while the mother recalled being 'petrified' that her son would die following the incident.
She noted that Arlo had changed from being a 'polite, funny little boy' who enjoyed cuddles to one who becomes overwhelmed by crowds, highlighting the lasting psychological trauma.
Police Response and Community Message
Temporary Detective Inspector Katie Davies of the North Wales Police serious collision investigation unit commented after the sentencing, stating: 'This was a shocking and deeply distressing incident in which a five-year-old child was left with serious injuries, while the person responsible chose to flee the scene rather than stop and help.'
She added: 'What is particularly concerning is that members of Longhurst's own family then assisted him in attempting to evade justice, including helping him leave the area and destroy evidence. Today's sentence reflects the diligent work of our officers and sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue not only offenders, but anyone who seeks to help them avoid accountability.'
