Overview
- Police footage and court evidence show 18‑year‑old Sonny Horsfall bought an Audi then drove recklessly before mounting a pavement and striking an 84‑year‑old pedestrian on April 22.
- The victim suffered multiple pelvic and spinal fractures, a broken foot, and required major hip reconstruction and an induced coma; he has made some recovery but remains partially dependent.
- Horsfall fled the scene, sent messages to friends admitting he had 'hit an old man' and saying 'I think I killed him,' and ordered a takeaway before his arrest the next day.
- At Durham Crown Court Horsfall pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and uninsured, and failing to stop; the judge jailed him for three years and disqualified him from driving for four years.
- Cleveland Police released video of the car purchase, petrol stop, driving footage and the collision to strengthen the prosecution case and to warn of the real‑world harm from driving without a licence or insurance.