A 15-year-old boy has been spared a custodial sentence after a high-speed e-scooter crash killed his friend Jacob Calland, aged 14. The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was driving the e-scooter at 28 mph through a red light in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, when it collided with a car on March 19, 2025.
Fatal Collision on Southmoor Road
The crash occurred on Southmoor Road, a dual carriageway, after the pair had travelled from Churchstoke Walk. CCTV footage showed the scooter overtaking a van waiting at traffic lights showing red. The driver later told police he knew red lights meant stop but 'could not remember' the colour and thought 'everyone else just goes past red lights'.
The scooter entered Southmoor Road, swerved to avoid one vehicle, then collided with a black BMW. Prosecutors said the BMW driver had 'less than a quarter of a second' to react. Both boys were thrown into the air and struck a stationary Peugeot. Jacob sustained a catastrophic brain injury and died eight days later in Manchester Children's Hospital after his family turned off life support.
Mother's Heartbreaking Testimony
In a victim impact statement, Jacob's mother Carly wept as she held a teddy bear containing her son's ashes. 'My entire world stopped,' she said. 'I could not stop his pain or make anything better. When it was time to turn the machine off, I told him I loved him. A part of me is lost forever.'
Carly added: 'I knew e-scooters were dangerous and not suitable for children and I remember warning Jacob about them. I never thought he would lose his life riding on the back of one.'
Court Details and Sentencing
Manchester Crown Court heard on June 30, 2026, that the e-scooter had three speed settings: 9, 15, and 28 mph (turbo mode). It was set to turbo mode at the time of the crash. The driver had owned the scooter for two weeks; his mother had bought it with his savings. Prosecutors noted: 'These remain illegal to use on public roads without a license and this is a gift that should never have been given.'
The teenage driver had no previous convictions but grew up in a 'troubled, traumatic, very unstable' household affected by drugs and alcohol. He was under a social services protection order at the time. Since moving in with his father, he had turned his life around and was studying for GCSEs. He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at the first opportunity.
Defence barrister James Hudson said the boy demonstrated a 'lack of awareness' but not a 'deliberate decision' and was 'deeply remorseful'.
Judge's Ruling: Rehabilitation Over Custody
Judge Suzanne Goddard handed the boy an 18-month youth referral order and a five-year driving disqualification. She explained: 'Children are to be treated very differently to adults. The focus should be on rehabilitation and custody should be the last resort.'
The judge noted the boy was 'seeking the thrill of riding at speed, not thinking of the danger' but cited mitigating factors: 'You rarely attended school and have not received appropriate parenting. You had no training on how to ride a scooter and your upbringing was characterised by neglect.' She added that custody 'is likely to damage the progress you have made and increase your risk of further offending.'
Jacob's mother shook her head and wept as the sentence was delivered.
Police Warning to Parents
Detective Constable Steve Pennington of Greater Manchester Police said: 'This was a tragic incident and one that could have been avoidable. E-scooters are not harmless toys and they can lead to horrific consequences when used by inexperienced riders. I would urge parents to check what their children are using and to ensure they are educated about the risks of using them on the road.'
