Man in court accused of hit and run killing of child

A man has appeared in court charged with causing death by dangerous driving and driving under the influence of drink or drugs after a 12-year-old boy was killed in Portaferry on Tuesday.

Lucas Trainor was riding a scooter when he was hit by a vehicle in the Strand area of the town. He was taken to hospital but died as a result of his injuries.

A post-mortem examination showed that Lucas died from traumatic head injuries.

Appearing at Newtownards Magistrates' court, Peter Andrew Milligan, 51, from Ashmount Park in Portaferry, was also charged with failing to stop where an accident occurred, failing to remain at the scene and failing to report an accident.

The Trainor family were in court watching proceedings.

Before the hearing began, a solicitor representing Mr Milligan told the court he would like to "express his profound remorse to the family of Lucas for the loss of their precious child".

The court heard that Mr Milligan had been drinking in a bar in Strangford before the hit and run.

The court was told he was "driving at speed" when he hit the 12-year-old on The Strand Road in Portaferry.

A detective constable said that he could connect the accused to the charges.

He told the court Mr Milligan was "driving at speed when he collided with the child and made off".

He said Mr Milligan was "then involved in a second road collision when he collided with a low wall".

He then abandoned the car and "made off, but was later arrested", he added.

Court heard Mr Milligan refused a breath test, but a blood test had found that he had been drinking.

The detective constable told the court that Mr Milligan was "actively trying to evade police" and there was "significant anger in the local area" after the boy's death.

Mr Milligan was not asked to enter a plea during the hearing.

The detective constable told the court Mr Milligan had made a "full admission in police interviews".

A solicitor representing Mr Milligan said his client "got into his car to go for a spin" and that he "did not know what he'd hit but panicked and drove on".

Making a case for bail to be granted, he said: "This was a very tragic accident. 

"My client has admitted it, he wouldn't intimidate witnesses."

The judge said she considered Mr Milligan to be at risk of reoffending, bail was refused, and he will appear again on 30 July.