James Hudson Defends Youth in Tragic E-Scooter Death by Dangerous Driving Case

July 6, 2026

James recently defended a 15-year-old boy who pleaded guilty to causing the death of his friend by dangerous driving.

The incident occurred in March 2025. The defendant was riding an E-Scooter in Wythenshawe with his friend as his pillion passenger. He contravened a red at light speed onto a dual carriageway where there was a collision with a car.

The defendant was committed to the Crown Court for sentence for consideration of whether a sentence of detention under s.250 Sentencing Act 2020 was appropriate. The sentencing exercise was complicated by the defendant crossing an age threshold between his plea in the Youth Court (14) and sentence in the Crown Court (15). The Prosecution submitted that, as far as the adult offence-specific sentencing council guidelines were relevant, the defendant’s culpability fell within category A which, for an adult, would mean a starting point of 12 years’ imprisonment.

James represented the defendant throughout these sensitive proceedings and prepared a detailed mitigation note. The sentencing judge was persuaded that the appropriate sentence was a youth rehabilitation order.

James was instructed and assisted by Elizabeth Dyson and Darren Langton of Keith Dyson Solicitors.

This case received national press coverage.