A cocaine-fuelled driver who mowed down and killed a 13-year-old boy has had his ‘insulting’ jail sentence increased after a plea by the victim’s heartbroken parents.
Harley Whiteman, 19, downed pints and snorted cocaine before he mowed down schoolboy Kaylan Hippsley on February 29 – and then tried to stop medics from saving his life.
He was jailed for just six years and nine months in April this year – with Kaylan’s parents slamming the term as an ‘insult to his memory’ and ‘absolutely disgusting’.
They started a petition calling for tougher sentences for drink drivers who kill and took their appeal to the solicitor general’s office who took up their fight.
The term has now been increased to nine years after High Court judges ruled it was ‘unduly lenient’, with Whiteman now being told he must serve at least six behind bars.
Harley Whiteman, 19, downed pints and snorted cocaine before he mowed down schoolboy Kaylan Hippsley (pictured) on February 29
Whiteman was jailed for just six years and nine months in April this year but it has now been increased to nine years
On the day of the crash, Whiteman was seen by witnesses driving between 40mph and 60mph when it tried to swerve away from a car travelling in the opposite direction
The hearing was told the original judge gave too much weight to Whiteman’s young age as mitigation over the seriousness of his crime.
On the day of the crash, Whiteman was seen by witnesses driving between 40mph and 60mph when it tried to swerve away from a car travelling in the opposite direction.
Shocking footage showed Whiteman speeding down a quiet road, narrowly avoiding parked cars and barely stopping at a junction.
To avoid hitting the car coming towards him, Whiteman swerved and mounted the kerb – hitting Kaylan and throwing him into the air at around 6.15pm.
Kaylan, previously described as a ‘cheeky chappie’ who ‘always had a twinkle in his eye’ had been standing outside a Co-op store after walking home with friends when he was struck by Whiteman’s Ford Fiesta.
The talented young sportsman, who was a keen football and rugby player, was taken to hospital but tragically died from his injuries four days after the crash in Hirwaun, South Wales.
Whiteman was seen speeding down a quiet road, narrowly avoiding parked cars and barely stopping at a junction in a video
Whiteman drove off after the crash but came back to the scene as he pretended to be an onlooker.
He then tried to stop the lifesaving efforts, and told a student nurse: ‘Do you think I give a f*** about this kid on the floor? Why the f*** don’t you all just leave him and stop doing that.’
Bystanders tried to move Whiteman away as he became agitated and shouted at a man who asked him about his car.
He responded: ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about… I haven’t got a car, I don’t even drive.’ He also offered a man a fight as Kaylan lay dying in the road.
Police attended and Whiteman had to be restrained as he was arrested, with police believing him to be extremely intoxicated.
Whiteman abused officers and said: ‘It was a f****** good show’.
He was asked to provide a roadside breath test and provide a sample of breath and blood but refused to do so.
Kaylan, previously described as a ‘cheeky chappie’ who ‘always had a twinkle in his eye’ had been standing outside a Co-op store after walking home with friends when he was struck by Whiteman’s Ford Fiesta
When he was interviewed Whiteman made no comment, but later told a probation worker he had taken a line of cocaine and had four pints of lager before the collision.
CCTV enquiries revealed Whiteman had been to The Cambrian pub in Aberdare and The Glancynon Inn in Hirwaun, where the landlord described the defendant as intoxicated and told him to leave because of his behaviour.
Whiteman, of Hirwaun, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen.
Judge Lord Justice William Davis said the original sentence had been ‘unduly lenient’ and should be increased.
He said that although Whiteman was young there was ‘no evidence that the offender was particularly immature’.
He added: ‘In this instance, it was not of such significance to outweigh the aggravating mitigating factors.’
The tragedy happened on a quiet village street in Hirwaun, South Wales
As well as his custodial term, Whiteman had his disqualification from driving increased from eight years and four months to 11 years.
Whiteman appeared in court via video link from the young offenders institution where he is serving his sentence and spoke only to confirm his name and that he had understood the court’s decision.
Speaking after the new sentence, Kaylan’s family said they felt ‘justified’ in appealing the jail term.
Kaylan’s family also attended court, and speaking after the hearing his cousin Julie Craig said they felt ‘justified’ in appealing the sentence, adding ‘but it doesn’t take away from the fact that we miss Kaylan immensely’.
Following the hearing at the Court of Appeal, the Solicitor General Sarah Sackman MP said: ‘Harley Whiteman’s reckless actions have broken a family and stolen the life of a thirteen-year-old boy.
‘That Whiteman fled the scene before abusing people tending to Kaylan, as well as police officers, is utterly deplorable.
‘The court’s rightly increased Whiteman’s sentence and this should send a clear warning to those who recklessly drive at high speeds and endanger the lives of others that they will be punished with the full force of the law.’
During his sentencing in April, James Hartson said in mitigation his client was unable to provide an explanation for his actions at the scene of the collision, and was ‘shocked, disorientated and panicked’.
The barrister said the defendant’s regret will live for him for the rest of his life, and he had lost his father at the age of five.
Kaylan was a pupil at Aberdare Community School and lived with his grandmother Kay Hippsley. He lost his father at the age of six and enjoyed playing with friends in the village.
In a victim personal statement read to the court following his death, sister Olivia said: ‘There are no words I can put to properly describe the sheer horror caused to me and my family and writing this down caused unimaginable pain.
‘Every time I tried I was completely overwhelmed.
‘No real justice can be served today. Harley Whiteman has taken something from our family that can never be given back. We live in fear we will have to pass him in the street but we hope it will be a long time before we have to deal with this.
‘Kaylan was a bright, intelligent young boy who had his whole life ahead of him, he loved playing rugby and was loved by all that knew him. I dropped to the floor screaming when I heard the worst news of my life, that Kaylan had been hit by a car, and my heart shattered into a million pieces.
‘This happened in front of his friends who had to see their friend die in front of their eyes in the worst possible way.
‘I am 19 years of age and spend most weekends with my grandmother who can’t be on her own. Our father sadly died in 2018, all I had left of my dad was my younger brother.
‘Now I have to face grief and carry this alone […] I was hoping to start employment but this is near impossible because I’m constantly anxious and depressed […] I can’t pass the place he was killed, I cannot be in hospital settings, I fear cars driving too fast and don’t want to be in a car myself.
‘I cannot be alone, when I am, my mind is 100 miles an hour. I have spent weeks sleeping in my mother’s bed with her, I’ve lost my appetite and cannot sleep. Every time I close my eyes I see my brother’s dead body.
‘I felt guilt as if I was abandoning him and at the funeral I had to be pulled from there by my family.
‘My grief is suffocating and I feel so alone I can’t breathe. I feel guilty to be happy and question myself every day why Kaylan? Why a young boy who has done nothing wrong? Why not me? I wish it was me, I often wish I wasn’t here anymore.
‘Kaylan was not killed in a tragic accident, it wasn’t until someone took him from us, someone was to blame and is responsible which makes it so much worse. That person is you (addressing Whiteman).
‘You killed my 13-year-old brother who had his whole life ahead of him in the most dangerous situation, driving whilst under the influence with passengers in the car. You have shown no remorse.
‘You ruined far more than one life and as a result you deserve to face the consequences for that.’
In her statement, Kaylan’s grandmother Kay Hippsley said: ‘Every time I leave the house since this happened, the actions of Harley Whiteman changed my life and will never be the same again.
‘He’s not only taken my grandson from me, he’s ruined a multitude of lives. Kaylan came to live with me eight years ago which was a huge undertaking in my 60s and I have severe rheumatoid arthritis. We lost his dad and my son six years ago.
‘Having him with me got me through the grief and brought moments of joy to my life. He was a 13-year-old boy who will never have the chance to live the life he deserves.
‘To receive a call to say Kaylan had been hit by a car was horrendous and everything changed from then on.
‘I am unable to go home to the family home. I have only been out to the hospital and Kaylan’s funeral. I feel as well Kaylan’s life ending prematurely mine has too. I have no purpose to my life and I don’t know how I will carry on.
‘I am so angry and devastated, I cannot put into words how this has affected my life and family. I cannot live with this or find it in my heart to forgive Harley Whiteman. This will be a small chapter in his life but Kaylan’s life is over and our family will carry the grief and heartache to our dying days.’
